Abdul Ghani Othman

Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani Bin Othman (born 14th December 1946) is the current Menteri Besar of the state of Johor in Malaysia. He has been in office since 1995. Born in Sungai Mati, Ledang, he is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

The Rare Academic

If Abdul Ghani Othman were a superstitious man, the portents could be seductive. Not only was he born in Johor state, the birthplace of UMNO, he came into being the same year as the party: 1946. But Ghani is unlikely to need supernatural help. In his debut as a vice-presidential candidate in 2000, he scored the second-highest number of nominations after Najib Tun Razak. He also has a solid UMNO pedigree - having worked under two important UMNO Youth chiefs, Anwar Ibrahim and his successor Najib - and since has moved swiftly up the ranks to become a Supreme Council member. A private man with a squeaky clean reputation, Ghani has plenty of grassroots support and political instincts.

Some say a weakness is his intense focus. He is seen as all work, no play - though supporters report that Ghani indulges in a spot of zapin (traditional Malay dancing), sings karaoke and is proficient in Yoshinkan Aikido. As a thinker, he stands out. An economics graduate with a master's in political economy, he resigned as a faculty dean at the University of Malaya to enter politics. "He is one of the few academics to reach the top echelon," says Michael Yeoh. "He has a refreshing approach to problem-solving." Ghani frequently consults former colleagues, other politicians and the private sector for ideas and advice. Says University of Malaya Prof. Zainal Kling: "Ghani is willing to listen."

Politically, Ghani delivered all the federal and state Johor seats to the ruling coalition in last year's polls. His mobilization of the Johor Muslim community is said to be a primary reason for the failure of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia to make inroads. Since his appointment as chief minister in 1995, Ghani also has kept the faction-ridden state largely united. In lacking a federal power base, however, the 62-year-old Johorean may have to be content with a behind-the-scenes role. Says an Asian diplomat: "If he is rational about it, he should become a powerbroker." Ghani faces two other contenders from Johor, but the signs - an inopportune attack of shingles last month notwithstanding - augur well for victory. [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=The Rare Academic | date=2000-05-12 | publisher=AsiaWeek| url =http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0512/nat.malaysia.html | work =AsiaWeek | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-17 | language = ]

The BIG Blunders

No doubt that he is a good educationist but a BIG DOUBT in his leadership in Johor.

1. Johor Debt to Fed Govt, a whooping amount of RM841.13 in 2007 (www.audit.gov.my)
2. Failure in KRPJ
3. Danga Bay, disaster in environment preservation
4. Syarikat Air Johor privatization

=CV=Education:

* Primary : English Primary School, Ledang, Johor. * Secondary : High School, Muar, Johor (Colombo Plan Scholar). * Undergraduate : La Trobe University, B.Econs (Hons) Australia. * Post-Graduate : University of Queensland, Australia. Masters in Political Economy

Positions:

- 1984 : Dean, Economic Faculty, University of Malaya.

Dec 1984 - Jul 1986 : Senator, Malaysian Parliament. Aug 1986 - Apr 1995 : Member of Parliament for Ledang, Johor.

1987 - 1990 : Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy Telecommunication and Post.

1990 - Nov 1993 : Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance.

Dec 1993 - Apr 1995 : Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Apr 1995 : State Assemblyman, Serom, Johor.

May 3, 1995 : Menteri Besar, Johor.

Dec 1999 : State Executive Councillor for Land Revenue, Administration, Finance and Planning, Johor.

Mar 31, 2004 : Sworn in as Menteri Besar for a third term. State Executive Councillor for Land Revenue, Administration, Finance and Planning, Johor.

Mar 2008 : Was reappointed to the post of Chief Minister for a fourth term.

External links

1. http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0512/nat.malaysia.html