Team Tun Mahathir & What They Studied at University

Malaysia's new government comes after a whopping landslide vote from the newest and youngest citizens eligible to cast a ballot, the 21-35 year olds! These are the college-level and freshly working young adults, who realised a change was due in the way things were run.

Some in Team Tun Mahathir have especially strong qualifications for the role coming from highly educated and experienced backgrounds. It is no wonder they have inspired confidence during their nomination for future ministers.

In this post we have listed Malaysia's cabinet ministers and highlighted their education. We hope you'll find it interesting!

And you know what? It is proven that a history of fine education can prepare you for a career in any field, even politics, so start planning and one day you might even be Prime Minister!

Prime Minister

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Prime Minister - Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
Birthday: 10 July 1925 (92)

Role: The Prime Minister is the head of the country, leading the cabinet of Malaysia which consists of all the ministers in charge of governing the country.

Previous education: Mahathir earned his title of Dr. from his tenure at the King Edward VII College of Medicine (now known as the National University of Singapore) as a student. After his graduation, he worked as a government doctor until 1956. When he got married to his wife, whom he met during college, Mahathir returned to his birthplace Alor Setar,  to be the only Malay doctor in town.

He became the chairman of UMNO in 1958, while still working as a doctor. Politically active since the surrender of The Japanese Occupation of Malaya that occured from 1941 to 1945; he backed up Malay rights, such as restoring Malay as an official language of Bahasa Melayu.

Deputy Prime Minister

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Deputy Prime Minister - Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Birthday: 3 December 1952 (65)

Role: The Deputy Prime Minister stands in for the Prime Minister when he is suddenly absent or incapable.  

Previous education:  Dr. Wan Azizah continued her higher education at the Tunku Kushiah College in Seremban, after her early education in Alor Setar. She went on to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, graduating in 1979 as a qualified ophthalmologist (dealing with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eyeball).

After graduation she served as a government doctor for 14 years. In the meantime, she married Anwar Ibrahim, who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1993. She was highly focused on volunteer work, becoming the leader of National Cancer Council (MAKNA) and was the second woman to lead a political party in Malaysia's history.

Minister of Finance

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Minister of Finance - Lim Guan Eng
Birthday: 8 December 1962 (55)

Role: The Minister of Finance is responsible for managing government expenditure and generating revenues. This ministry presents the Malaysian Federal Budget each year.

Previous education: Lim Guan Eng’s early education was in Primary English School in Petaling Jaya and progressed to Batu Pahat High School for his secondary education. He also continued at Malacca High School, the second oldest school of Malaysia (est. 7 december 1826).

He graduated from Monash University in Australia, where he studied Bachelor's in Economics and became a qualified professional accountant by the age of 21.

Minister of Economic Affairs

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Minister of Economic Affairs - Mohamed Azmin Ali
Birthday: 25 August 1964 (53)

Role: The Minister of Economic Affairs is committed to ensuring that the wealth and resources of the nation be shared fairly and equitably among its people.

Previous education: Although Mohamed Azman Ali was born in Singapore, he grew up in Kuala Lumpur and had his education at Setapak High School in Kuala Lumpur.

After high school he went to study BSc Economics and Mathematics at the University of Minnesota and also completed his master's degree.  He also attended an executive training programme at the University of Oxford.

Minister of Home Affairs

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Minister of Home Affairs - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Birthday: 15 May 1947 (71)

Role: The Minister of Home Affairs is tasked with ensuring peace and well-being of the people (e.g. border security, public order, crime & terrorism prevention, anti-drugs).

Previous education: Muhyiddin Yassin received his secondary education at the Muar High School in Johor. His tertiary education years were spent studying at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and received a Bachelor's degree with Honours in Economics and Malay Studies in 1971.

Minister of Defence

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Minister of Defence - Mohamad Sabu
Birthday: 14 October 1954 (63)

Role: The Minister of Defence works to improve the security of the country from any threat which also includes improving efficiency in the management of military needs.

Previous education: Mohamad Sabu (also known as Mat Sabu) studied at MARA University of Technology in Kuala Lumpur. His political career began when he was only 23 years old upon joining the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement in 1975 and grew to him representing the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) as the deputy president from 1981 to 2013. Mat Sabu is now the president of The National Trust Party/Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH).

Minister of Education

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Minister of Education - Dr. Maszlee Malik
Birthday: 15 July 1974 (43)

Role: The Minister of Education is fully responsible for improvement of the education system in Malaysia.

Previous education: Maszlee Malik attended the University of Malaya for a Bachelor's Degree in the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence. He also attended the premier Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, internationally known as English College Johore Bahru. In 2000, he continued his strong education streak by serving as a senior lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia; and in 2011, he was awarded a doctorate in Public Policy Studies at University of Durham in England.

He has even taught himself to speak a few different languages and is fluent in Malay, Arabic and English; moderate in French and German; and possesses simple skills in Chinese and Hokkien.

Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry

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Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry - Salahuddin Ayub
Birthday: 1 December 1961 (56)

Role: The Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry is responsible for the implementation of programs and projects for agro-food and agriculture development.

Previous education: Salahuddin Ayub had his tertiary education at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College in 1982 and studied for a Diploma in Business Administration. He continued to pursue a Bachelor of Science Human Resource Management at Universiti Putra Malaysia and successfully graduated.

Minister of Health

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Minister of Health - Dr. Haji Dzulkefly bin Ahmad
Birthday: 1 January 1956 (62)

Role: The Minister of Health strives to ensure a high quality health system that is customer centred.

Previous education: Dr. Haji Dzulkefly has obtained a few degrees throughout his education history. First was a Bachelor's Degree in Science from the University of Birmingham, followed by a Master's of Science Degree from Surrey University in 1980. He also holds a Master's Degree in  Science (Toxicology) obtained at University of London in 1993. Dr. Dzulkefly has also graduated from Imperial College (St. Mary's Hospital Medical School) with PhD in Medical Science (Toxicology).

Minister of Housing and Local Government

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Minister of Housing and Local Government - Zuraida Kamaruddin
Birthday: 14 March 1958 (60)

Role: The Minister of Housing and Local Government is tasked with improving the quality of life of Malaysia's community.

Previous education: Zuraida Kamaruddin studied in Singapore. She was granted a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science.

Minister of Human Resources

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Minister of Human Resources - Kulasegaran Murugeson
Birthday: 10 August 1957 (60)

Role: The Ministry of Human Resources engages, develops and remains a high performing workforce and a healthy, safe and productive environment to increase individual and organizational potential.

Previous education: Kulasegaran has been known to have obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Yealing Law College in 1982.

Minister of Rural Development

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Minister of Rural Development - Rina Harun
Birthday: 18 April 1973 (45)                           

Role: The Minister of Rural Development is dedicated to improving the quality of life and well-being of people living in rural areas.

Previous education: Rina Harun has had history in UITM with a Diploma in Banking Studies and has graduated in Michigan, USA, with a Northwood degree in Banking and Finance Management.

Minister of Transport

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Minister of Transport - Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Birthday: 28 April 1977 (41)

Role: The Minister of Transport is responsible for infrastructure projects and to formulate and implement transportation policies (rail, ports, maritime, civil aviation).

Previous education: Before Anthony's political career, he initially graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with a degree in Development Science. After his graduation, he attended the University of Malaya and earned a Master's degree in Public Administration.

Minister of Communications and Multimedia

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Minister of Communications and Multimedia - Gobind Singh Deo
Birthday: 19 June 1973 (44)

Role: The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia ensures consumers to be satisfied and to enjoy communications and multimedia services at affordable prices and to uphold media freedom by reviewing laws and regulations related to the media.

Previous education: Gobind Singh Deo has had an illustrious education history, graduating with a Bachelor of Law degree from UK's University of Warwick and gaining admission to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn as a Barrister-at-Law. In 1996, he was admitted to the Malaysian Bar, strengthening his background in the field of law.