Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Diraja Dr.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Native Name:Malay: {{Script|Arab|أحمد زاهد حميدي
Order:11th and 14th
Office:Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
Term Start:3 December 2022
Alongside:Fadillah Yusof
Predecessor:Ismail Sabri Yaakob (2021)
Primeminister:Anwar Ibrahim
Term Start1:29 July 2015
Term End1:10 May 2018
Monarch1:Abdul Halim

Muhammad V
Primeminister1:Najib Razak
Predecessor1:Muhyiddin Yassin
Successor1:Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Office2:14th Leader of the Opposition
Monarch2:Muhammad V

Abdullah
Primeminister2:Mahathir Mohamad
Term Start2:18 July 2018
Term End2:10 March 2019
Predecessor2:Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Successor2:Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Office3:8th President of the United Malays National Organisation
Term Start3:30 June 2018

Predecessor3:Najib Razak
Embed:yes
Subterm4:2008–2009
Suboffice4:Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Subterm5:2009–2013
Suboffice5:Minister of Defence
Subterm6:2013–2018
Suboffice6:Minister of Home Affairs
Subterm7:2022–present
Suboffice7:Minister of Rural and Regional Development
Constituency Mp8:Bagan Datuk
Parliament8:Malaysian
Term Start8:25 April 1995
Predecessor8:Mohamed Jamrah
Majority8:14,830 (1995)
4,617 (1999)
12,539 (2004)
2,692 (2008)
2,108 (2013)
5,073 (2018)
348 (2022)
Birth Name:Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi
Birth Date:4 January 1953
Birth Place:Bagan Datuk, Perak, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Residence:Bagan Datuk, Perak
Party:United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Otherparty:Barisan Nasional (BN)
Occupation:Politician
Spouse:Hamidah Khamis
Children:5
Footnotes:
Education:University of Malaya (BA)
University Putra Malaysia (PhD)

Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi (Malay: أحمد زاهد بن حميدي|label=[[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]|script=arab|italic=unset; born 4 January 1953) is a Malaysian politician who has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development since December 2022. A member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), he has served as its leader and the chairman of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition since May 2018. Zahid has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bagan Datuk since April 1995. He is also the first president of UMNO, after Malaya independence, not being elected as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Born in Perak, Zahid studied and began a career in banking before entering politics. He served in several cabinet positions under former Prime Ministers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak from March 2008 to May 2018.[1] He was also Deputy Prime Minister from July 2015 to May 2018. Zahid became the President of the UMNO in 2018 following the party's defeat at the 2018 election. He served as the 14th Leader of the Opposition from July 2018 to March 2019. Under his leadership, UMNO and BN won at the 2021 Malacca state election and the 2022 Johor state election, but achieved its worst result in Malaysian history at the 2022 federal election. After BN formed a coalition government with Pakatan Harapan, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in December 2022, making him the first person to be appointed to this position twice, under two different administrations.

Zahid has faced several investigations and charges for corruption during his career.

Early life

Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi was born on 4 January 1953 in Bagan Datuk, Perak,[2] the eldest son of nine children (seven sons and two daughters) in the family.[3] [4] On 1 October 2011, his mother, Tuminah Abdul Jalil, died of a stroke and heart complication in her hometown Sungai Nipah Darat, Bagan Datoh. She was previously hospitalized at the Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Both of his parents are Indonesian-born Malaysians.[5]

He was raised by a Chinese foster-father, Chen Jin Ting and sold ice cream together for six years with his foster family when he was in elementary school. Chen was not highly educated and would cycle from his house at Simpang Tiga, Hilir Perak to about three kilometers away selling ice cream. Chen was married with his foster mother, Guo Jin Luan. His father later died in 1999, more than ten days after the general election of that year.[6] Following accusations that he was anti-Chinese, he responded asking: "Am I anti-Chinese when I have a Chinese foster father?".[7]

Education and early career

Before venturing into politics, Ahmad Zahid studied at University of Malaya for his bachelor's degree where he graduated in 1976. He also holds a Certificate in Banking from Bank Negara Malaysia before being a banker for OCBC. He then became one of the directors of Bank Simpanan Nasional (1995–1998) and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB). During his corporate career, he was a Marketing Executive for Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), Executive Director for Scandinavian Motors Sdn Bhd, Chief Executive Officer of Kretam Holdings Berhad, Chairman of Tekala Corporation Berhad, Seng Hup Berhad and Ramatex Berhad. In 1999 he became the Chairman of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB).[8] In 2008, he received his PhD in Communication at Universiti Putra Malaysia after he spent seven years to complete his thesis.[9]

Political career

Political secretary and UMNO Youth Chief

In 1986, Zahid was appointed political secretary to Najib Razak during the latter's term as Youth Minister (1986–1990) and then Minister of Defence (1990–1995).

He was elected UMNO Youth Chief in 1996. He was once the chief of UMNO youth Bagan Datoh branch, the Vice Chief for the state of Perak UMNO youth, Head of the UMNO Communication for UMNO youth.

Election to Parliament and UMNO Supreme Council

In 1995, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi became a member of parliament after winning the Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat in Perak in the general elections.

In 1999, Zahid was re-elected Member of Parliament for Bagan Datoh in Perak in the general elections. He was elected to the UMNO Supreme Council in the following year.

Ministerial career

After he won the seat for a third time in the 2004 general elections, Zahid was appointed Deputy Tourism Minister by former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. While being a Deputy Minister, he pursued a Doctor of Philosophy degree from UPM, thesis entitled Barisan Nasional Manifesto As Agenda for Malay Language Newspaper During the General Election Campaign.

In the political tsunami of 2008, Zahid again retained his Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat at a time when many BN party heavyweights were trounced. He was then appointed a full Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. In the April 2009 cabinet reshuffle, Zahid was appointed Minister of Defence by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He was able to retain his parliamentary seat of Bagan Datoh in the 2013 election, although with a decreased majority. He was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in 2013, replacing Hishamuddin Hussein, who took Zahid's previous position at the Ministry of Defence.[10]

In July 2015, he was appointed the country's 11th Deputy Prime Minister in a cabinet reshuffle.[11]

UMNO President

In the 2018 UMNO leadership election, Zahid gained more votes than his rivals, Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, making him the new president of UMNO and also the first Leader of the Opposition from BN coalition.

After facing weeks of mounting pressure to step down as party president and calls for fresh party polls,[12] [13] Zahid finally announces his decision to temporary step down and take leave on 18 December 2018.[14] His deputy, Mohamad Hasan, acted the position of leading the party.[15] On 30 June 2019, he announced his return from "garden leave" back to active role as UMNO president.[16] [17]

In the 2022 election, he led the party to achieve its worst result in Malaysian history, only retaining 26 out of 222 seats (BN won 30 seats).[18] Several key figures including Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Mahdzir Khalid, Azeez Rahim, Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Khairy Jamaluddin, lost to either PN or PH candidates.[19] [20] [21] UMNO/BN was also defeated at several state elections held in Pahang and Perak, and lost all seats in Perlis.[22] Zahid himself was re-elected with a slim majority.[23] Following the election defeat, he faced internal pressures to resign as the UMNO President.[24] [25] [26]

Controversies and issues

Legal suits

Ahmad Zahid had been sued by businessman Amir Bazli Abdullah for allegedly punching him in the face on 16 January 2006 at the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang, Selangor, causing the latter to suffer a nasal bone fracture and a swollen left eye.[27] The case was pursued in the civil courts for six years before the matter was settled out of court.[28]

Controversial statements

Shortly after the Black 505 rallies following the 13th Malaysian General Election due to claims of electoral fraud and vote manipulation, he said that Malaysians who are unhappy with the country's political system and dislike the BN government should "get lost" from the country. This statement has raised discontentment among the citizens, putting a serious question mark over his political future in a multiracial society.[29] The statement was made after a series of street demonstrations led by opposition parties that has refused to accept the results of the 13th Malaysian General election. His first act as Home Minister was to order a crack down against opposition leaders and dissent, landing him in a bigger controversy with sedition laws being used to attempt to suppress the voices of opposition parties.[30]

During a speech in Malacca, Zahid was recorded endorsing the police policy of "shoot to kill" when arresting dangerous criminals,[31] including backing a certain group of gangsters.[32] [33] [34]

Corruption charges

On 18 October 2018, Zahid was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and charged in court the following day on 45 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT), abuse of power and money laundering involving a total of RM114 million (about US$27.4 million) funds of Yayasan Akalbudi.[35] [36] On 14 December 2018, he was charged with another CBT offence, involving RM10 million.[37] On 20 February 2019, Zahid was again charged with an additional CBT charge, involving RM260,000.[38] [39]

On 26 June 2019, Zahid became the subject of 7 new corruption charges involving S$4.2 million (RM12.8 million) which he allegedly received from a foreign visa (VLN) system operator totalling RM42.76 million under his capacity as the Home Minister then. [40] On the next day, he faced 33 more charges totalling RM42.76 million involving the VLN system two years before.[41] The latest charges brought the total number of outstanding charges to 87.[42] [43] [44]

On 24 January 2022, Zahid has been ordered to enter his defence against all 47 criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering charges involving funds.[45] [46] [47] [48] [49]

On 17 February 2022, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has divulged more details regarding his claims that Ahmad Zahid sought his intervention in court cases. Muhyiddin said Zahid visited a few days after he took office as prime minister with a pile of files. He said he refused to interfere in Zahid and Najib Razak's court cases, which incited their anger and resulted in attempts to destabilise the government.[50]

On 23 February 2022, Mahathir Mohamad said he had a meeting with Zahid before the former became prime minister in 2018. Mahathir said Zahid went to his house with three other individuals and tried to be nice to him to avoid being charged for his misconduct when Umno was in power.[51]

Acquittal

On 23 September 2022, Zahid was acquitted by the Malaysian High Court of 40 bribery charges linked to a visa scheme, and seven charges for allegedly receiving bribes when he was home minister from 2013 to 2018. However, he still faced charges that are related to the misuse of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.[52] [53]

Personal life

He is married to Hamidah Khamis and has 5 children. He is fluent in Standard Malay, local Perak Malay and Javanese. He speaks English with limited fluency,[54] and also speaks some Mandarin.[55]

Election results

Year!
ConstituencyCandidateVotesPctOpponent(s)VotesPctBallots castMajorityTurnout
1995P072 Bagan Datok, Perak (UMNO)17,64686.24%Asha'ri Marsom (S46)2,81613.76%21,937 14,830 62.02%
1999 (UMNO)12,93860.86%Mohamad Dahalan Arhsad (keADILan)8,32139.14%22,1644,61760.24%
2004P075 Bagan Datok, Perak (UMNO)17,04979.08%Ayyathurai Achutharaman (PKR)4,51020.92%22,69012,539 66.38%
2008 (UMNO)13,11555.72%Madzi Hasan (PKR)10,42344.28%24,414 2,69270.42%
2013 (UMNO)17,17653.27%Madhi Hasan (PKR)15,06846.73%33,069 2,10882.83%
2018P075 Bagan Datuk, PerakAhmad Zahid Hamidi (UMNO)18,90951.37%Pakhrurrazi Arshad (PKR)13,83637.59%37,6205,07379.89%
Ata Abdul Muneim Hasan Adli (PAS)4,06111.03%
2022 (UMNO)16,57839.61%Shamsul Iskandar Md. Akin (PKR) 16,23038.78%41,85634871.94%
bgcolor= Muhammad Faiz Na'aman (BERSATU)8,82221.08%
Tawfik Ismail (IND)2260.54%

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Y.B. Dato' Seri Dr.. Parliament of Malaysia. 17 June 2010.
  2. Web site: Biography : The Honourable Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi . Official Website : Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia . 10 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170903144444/http://tpm.jpm.gov.my/en/biography . 3 September 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  3. News: Jenazah bapa Ahmad Zahid selamat dikebumikan. The remains of Ahmad Zahid's father are buried. Utusan Melayu. ms. 10 August 2014. 3 August 2017. 3 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180703051510/http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20140810/dn_08/Jenazah-bapa-Ahmad-Zahid-selamat-dikebumikan. dead.
  4. News: ms. Ayah Zahid Hamidi meninggal dunia . Zahid Hamidi's father passed away . Astro Awani. 8 August 2014.
  5. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/03/22/malaysian-defense-minister-visits-home.html "Malaysian defense minister visits ‘home’"
  6. News: Zahid formed ties with Chinese foster father by selling ice cream. Malaysia Chinese News. 19 August 2015.
  7. News: Zahid says raised by Chinese foster dad, insists not 'ultra Malay' . .
  8. News: Dato Seri' Ahmad Zahid Hamidi . .
  9. Web site: Zahid gets his PhD at UPM . The Star . 10 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201210124042/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/10/18/zahid-gets-his-phd-at-upm/ . 10 December 2020.
  10. http://www.nst.com.my/latest/najib-announces-the-new-cabinet-line-up-updated-1.279573 "Najib announces the new cabinet line-up (Updated)"
  11. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/zahid-hamidi-is-new-dpm Zahid Hamidi is new DPM
  12. Web site: KJ supports call for Zahid to step down, wants new party polls. The Star Online. 2018-12-14.
  13. News: 'Arrogant' Ahmad Zahid needs to step down, says Umno source . New Straits Times. 2018-12-16.
  14. News: Zahid steps aside as Umno president, hands over duties to deputy. The Star Online. 2018-12-18.
  15. News: Zahid Hamidi: No timeline set on leave as Umno president . 6 April 2019 . Ida Nadirah Ibrahim. Malay Mail. 16 July 2019.
  16. Web site: I'm back! Zahid announces return to active duty as Umno chief. Malaysiakini. 30 June 2019. en. 2019-06-30.
  17. News: Ahmad Zahid to resume Umno leadership. 30 June 2019. The Star Online. 30 June 2019.
  18. News: 20 November 2022. 'End of an era' for Malaysia's Barisan Nasional, after corruption issues hurt candidates at GE15: Analysts. 21 November 2022.
  19. News: 20 November 2022. PRU15: Nama besar antara yang tewas. 21 November 2022.
  20. News: 20 November 2022. PRU15: BN kecundang di Tanjong Karang. 21 November 2022.
  21. News: 20 November 2022. [Rasmi] Azeez Rahim kalah kepada calon PN di Baling]. 21 November 2022.
  22. News: 20 November 2022. PN brings BN to its knees in Perlis. 21 November 2022.
  23. News: 20 November 2022. GE15: Zahid retains Bagan Datuk with slim majority. 21 November 2022.
  24. News: 20 November 2022. PRU15: Lagi gesaan Ahmad Zahid letak jawatan, libatkan Wanita UMNO Wilayah Persekutuan. 21 November 2022.
  25. News: 20 November 2022. Parti komponen BN turut desak Ahmad Zahid letak jawatan. 21 November 2022.
  26. News: 20 November 2022. Naib Ketua UMNO bahagian-bahagian desak Ahmad Zahid, Mohamad Hassan letak jawatan. 21 November 2022.
  27. Web site: Businessman withdraws civil suit against Zahid Hamidi . The Star Online. 2018-10-20.
  28. Web site: Businessman withdraws civil suit against Zahid Hamidi. The Star Online. 2018-08-07.
  29. News: New Malaysian home minister tells unhappy Malaysians to emigrate . Straits Times . 23 November 2013 . 3 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014611/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/new-malaysian-home-minister-tells-unhappy-malaysians-emigrate-20130516 . dead .
  30. News: DAP slams Zahid's 'arrogance and contempt' for unhappy Malaysians. Boo. Su-Lyn. The Malaysian Insider. 23 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130620150726/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/litee/malaysia/article/dap-slams-zahids-arrogance-and-contempt-for-unhappy-malaysians. 20 June 2013. dead. dmy.
  31. News: Zahid Hamidi slammed for alleged 'shoot first' and gangster 'friends' remarks – Nation. Tam. Michelle. 7 October 2013. The Star. 23 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009041137/http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/07/zahid-slammed-for-comments.aspx. 2013-10-09. dead.
  32. News: 'Zahid should quit and join Tiga Line'. 8 October 2013. Free Malaysia Today. 23 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131008050327/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/08/zahid-should-quit-and-join-tiga-line/. 2013-10-08. dead. Letters from readers.
  33. News: Did you really defend Tiga Line gang, Guan Eng asks Zahid. Zachariah. Elizabeth. The Malaysian Insider. 23 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131010190444/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/did-you-really-defend-tiga-line-gang-guan-eng-asks-zahid. 10 October 2013. dead. dmy.
  34. News: Carry on, Zahid tells 'Tiga Line' dons . Malaysiakini . 7 October 2013 . 23 November 2013.
  35. Web site: Zahid arrested by MACC. The Star Online. 2018-10-20.
  36. Web site: Zahid Hamidi faces 45 charges of CBT, bribery, money-laundering. The Sun Daily. 2018-10-20.
  37. News: Zahid Hamidi charged with another CBT offence, involving RM10mil. Maizatul Nazlina. 14 December 2018. The Star Online. 14 December 2018.
  38. News: Yayasan Akalbudi fund: Zahid faces another CBT charge involving RM260,000. Rahmat Khairulrijal. 20 February 2019. New Straits Times. 20 February 2019.
  39. News: Zahid's case transferred to High Court. Bernama. 28 February 2019. The Star Online. 28 February 2019.
  40. News: Zahid slapped with seven more graft charges, making it 54 in total (Updated). Nurbaiti Hamdan. 26 June 2019. The Star Online. 27 June 2019.
  41. News: Zahid slapped with another 33 graft charges [NSTTV]]. Rahmat Khairulrijal. 27 June 2019. New Straits Times. 27 June 2019.
  42. News: Zahid now facing highest number of charges. Nurbaiti Hamdan. 27 June 2019. The Star Online. 18 June 2019.
  43. News: Millions in kickbacks from foreign visa system operator. Hafiz Yatim. 27 June 2019. The Edge Financial Daily. 27 June 2019.
  44. News: Malaysia's former deputy prime minister is facing 87 charges – more than twice as many as Najib. Jessica Lin. 27 June 2019. Business Insider. 27 June 2019. 20 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190720125156/https://www.businessinsider.my/malaysias-former-deputy-prime-minister-is-facing-87-charges-more-than-twice-as-many-as-najib/. dead.
  45. Web site: Zahid ordered to enter defence on 47 charges of corruption. 2022-01-24. The Star. en.
  46. Web site: Singh. Sharanjit. 2022-01-24. Zahid ordered to enter defence over corruption, CBT and money laundering charges [NSTTV]]. 2022-01-24. NST Online. en.
  47. Web site: Lim. Ida. Court rules ex-DPM Zahid has to enter defence over 47 charges in CBT, bribery, money laundering trial. 2022-01-24. www.malaymail.com. 24 January 2022 . en.
  48. Web site: Timothy. Achariam. 2022-01-24. Yayasan Akalbudi: High Court orders Zahid to enter defence for all 47 charges in trial. 2022-01-24. The Edge Markets.
  49. Web site: UMNO president Ahmad Zahid ordered to enter defence on corruption, money laundering charges. 2022-01-24. CNA. en.
  50. Web site: 2022-02-17 . Muhyiddin: Zahid visited with pile of files, asking for help . Malaysiakini.
  51. Web site: admin-s . 2022-02-23 . Dr Mahathir: Zahid met me before I became PM to avoid charges . Malaysia Today . en-US.
  52. News: KUMAR . P PREM . September 23, 2022 . Malaysia's ruling party chief Zahid cleared in bribery case . .
  53. News: Rodzi . Nadirah H. . 23 September 2022 . Truth has prevailed, says Malaysia's ex-DPM Zahid after acquittal over bribery charges . .
  54. News: Zahid proud to be UN rep despite criticism of his English. Free Malaysia Today.
  55. News: Zahid endears himself to Chinese voters using Mandarin phrase. Free Malaysia Today.
  56. News: Zahid leads Malacca honours list . 8 October 2015 . . Roshidi Abu Samah . 25 October 2018.
  57. Web site: Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang Dan Pingat . ms . Review of Graduates, Stars and Medals . . 25 October 2018 . 29 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180929181530/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/ . dead .
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  59. News: Perak MB To Be Awarded Datuk Seri Title . 19 April 2008 . . 8 September 2018.
  60. Web site: AMP 1992. pingat.perak.gov.my.
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  62. News: The Star. 25 October 2018. Constitution must be respected, says Kelantan Sultan. Bernama. 31 March 2009.
  63. News: . Sultan of Kelantan birthday honours list. 2 April 2005 . 25 October 2018.
  64. News: The Star. 12 October 2018. David Arumugam, Khadijah Ibrahim now Datuks. Bernama. 12 February 2009.
  65. News: Highest state award for eight . 1 October 2011 . . Sandra Sokial . 14 September 2018.
  66. News: Zahid heads list of 115 Sarawak state award recipients . Bernama. 9 September 2016 . . 12 October 2018.
  67. News: . Muhyiddin heads list of TYT birthday award recipients . 14 September 2013 . 25 October 2018.