Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Kadir bin Sheikh Fadzir (Jawi: عبدالقادر بن شيخ فاذر; born 4 June 1939) is a Malaysian politician and former seven-term Member of Parliament (MP) of Malaysia representing Kulim-Bandar Baharu constituency in the state of Kedah.[1] He also formerly served as the Minister of Information (1999-2006), Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism (1997-2004) in the Cabinet of Malaysia.

In this Malay name, the name Sheikh Fadzir is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Abdul Kadir. The Arabic-derived word "bin" or "binti"/"binte", if used, means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir PSM AMN SPDK SJMK DGSM SSAP DSDK DHMS
عبدالقادر بن شيخ فاذر
Minister of Information
In office 7 January 1999 – 14 February 2006
Monarch	Ja'afar Salahuddin Sirajuddin
Prime Minister	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy	Zainuddin Maidin Donald Lim Siang Chai
Preceded by	Mohd Khalil Yaakob
Succeeded by	Zainuddin Maidin
Constituency	Kulim-Bandar Baharu
Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism
In office 2 May 1997 – 26 March 2004
Monarch	Ja’afar Salahuddin Sirajuddin
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy	Fu Ah Kiow
Preceded by	Sabbaruddin Chik
Succeeded by	Leo Michael Toyad
Constituency	Kulim-Bandar Baharu
President of Malaysia National Alliance Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 2012
Deputy	Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir
Preceded by	Office established
Deputy Minister of Human Resources
In office 4 May 1995 – 2 May 1997
Monarch	Ja’afar
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad
Minister	Lim Ah Lek
Preceded by	M. Mahalingam
Succeeded by	Affifudin Omar
Constituency	Kulim-Bandar Baharu
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumerism
In office 27 October 1990 – 3 May 1995
Monarch	Azlan Shah Ja’afar
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad
Minister	Sulaiman Daud (1990-1991) Abu Hassan Omar (1991-1995)
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Subramaniam Sinniah
Constituency	Kulim-Bandar Baharu
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Monarch	Azlan Shah Ja’afar
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad
Minister	Ghazali Shafie Rais Yatim (1986-1987) Abu Hassan Omar (1987-1990)
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan
Constituency	Kulim-Bandar Baharu
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baharu
In office 1978–2008
Preceded by	Azahari Md. Taib (UMNO-BN)
Succeeded by	Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-PR)
Majority	7,998 (2004) 8,067 (1999) 14,302 (1995) 13,650 (1990) 13,614 (1986) 12,254 (1982) 10,009 (1978)
Personal details
Born	Abdul Kadir bin Sheikh Fadzir (1939-06-04)4 June 1939 (81 years, 70 days) Kampung Tawar, Kulim, Kedah, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia)
Citizenship	Malaysian
Political party	Malaysia National Alliance Party (IKATAN) (since 2012) United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (1969-2012)
Other political affiliations	Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) (since 2016) Barisan Nasional (1973-2016) Alliance Party (1969-1973)
Spouse(s)	Suraya Mohd Noah
Relations	Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (Brother)
Children	Erman Abdul Kadir Erwan Abdul Kadir
Alma mater	Lincoln's Inn
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer
Website	TSKSF Official Facebook Page

Education

Attended Malay Tawar School (1946–1949), Sultan Badlishah Secondary School, Kulim (1950–1957). In 1968 he studied at Lincoln's Inn, London majoring in law in 1970.

Career

Abdul Kadir became a teacher at Serdang English School (1958), at Sekolah Kebangsaan Baling (1958–1960), a clerk at the Public Works Department, Alor Star (1960–1963).

He then worked as a General Worker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1963-1964), Third Secretary of Malaysian High Commissioner, Karachi, Pakistan (1964-1965), Third Secretary at the Malaysian Embassy, Saigon, Vietnam (1966-1968) and Political Secretary to General Welfare Minister (1971-1974)

He became a lawyer in the law firm "Hisham, Sobri and Kadir" (1974-1982).

Personal life

Abdul Kadir married Suraya Mohd Noah and the couple has a twin sons; Erman Abdul Kadir and Erwan Abdul Kadir.[2]

Abdul Kadir's family got a place in UMNO politics especially in Kedah. Abdul Kadir himself was the Information Minister. His younger brother, Dato' Abd. Aziz Sheikh Fadzir is the former Kuala Ketil seat assemblyman and then former Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the seat of Kulim–Bandar Baharu successing Abdul Kadir. He was an UMNO Youth leader.

His brother, Datuk Haidar Ali Sheikh Fadzir became Federal Territory UMNO Youth chief but died of a bacterial infection in the liver and lungs.

Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir became the leader of Bukit Mertajam UMNO and was appointed Senator of the Senate.

Political career

Abdul Kadir was involved in UMNO since 1969. He was the President of UMNO Club, United Kingdom (1969–1970), Kedah UMNO Youth Vice-President (1970–1976), Padang Serai UMNO Deputy Head (1978), Kulim Bandar Baharu Member of Parliament (1978–2004), Kulim Bandar Baharu Division UMNO (1984–1987).

When UMNO was banned from UMNO 11, Abdul Kadir was loyal to Dr Mahathir Mohamad to set up a new UMNO. He joined New UMNO Member (1988) and was elected UMNO Supreme Council Member (1988).

He became Member of the UMNO Supreme Council of the 2000–2003 session. At the UMNO General Assembly 2004 he was not elected in the list of 25 MKT.

After winning the 1978 elections, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1982), Deputy Foreign Minister (1983), Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade (1990), Deputy Minister of Human Resources (1995) and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (1999).

Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has appointed Abdul Kadir as the full minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism in 1999. He is also the Chairman of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (1999).

Minister of Information

In 2004, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has appointed Abdul Kadir as Information Minister, replacing Datuk Mohd Khalil Yaakob. After his resignation in 2006 from cabinet, Datuk Zainuddin Maidin became Information Minister.

On 12 November 2005, the 24-hour Kedah FM broadcast was launched by the Sultan of Kedah with Abdul Kadir as the Minister of Information was present. The 24-hour broadcast was his brainchild. Abdul Kadir became an 'extra actor' in Mahligai Gading drama, in which Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil also acts.[3] Jia Yu's channel was officiated by Abdul Kadir as Information Minister on 17 November 2005. 70% of imported content from China and Hong Kong is controlled by Cosmos Discovery. On 1 April 2005, Radio 6 was re-branded as Minnal FM and inaugurated by Datuk Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.

Abdul Kadir has resigned as Information Minister on 14 February 2006.[2]

Social activities

Abdul Kadir is a friendly, tested and active person in unity. Among them was the Secretary-General of the Afro-Asian People's Organization (Malaysia), Chairman of the Sultan Badlishah Secondary School Students Association, Federal Territory / Selangor Branch and Patron, Kulim District Orphanage Board of Orphanages.

He was one of the leaders of Barisan Nasional veterans who formed and became the deputy president of Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) or Independence Trust Forces, a Malaysian Non-Government Organisation (NGO) founded and launched by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah on 22 July 2011.

Exit from UMNO

On 19 March 2012, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Syeikh Fadzir has made an announcement to leave the party from UMNO party with more than 56 years. According to Dr Raja Ahmad Al-Hiss, the deputy head of the PAS Youth Council (DPPM) vice-chairman, Abdul Kadir's action also gives a clear picture that there is something wrong with UMNO's struggle.[4]

In the same development, PAS described UMNO veteran Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Syeikh Fadzir to step out of UMNO party as a blow to UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.

PAS vice-president, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, said Kadir's action was to redeem the honor of the BN-led state. Mahfuz believes that Tan Sri Abdul Kadir's actions are a blow to Najib who recently said that the people should not try to impose the future of the country to support the opposition.

Mahfuz also congratulated Kadir on his decision to make the right decision, Mahfuz also said that the cardiac arrest was a 'signal' to the public to reject UMNO.

"I congratulate him for his boldness and this is a decision for the future of our country. It is in line with what Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah once said that UMNO's defeat in the coming elections is good for the country. "[5]

- Mahfuz Omar

Forming Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (IKATAN)

Abdul Kadir has formed Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (IKATAN) or transl. Malaysia National Alliance Party on 7 June 2012 along with a few former UMNO members.[6][7][8] After the IKATAN was forced to wait for more than two years for approval, Abdul Kadir dragged the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to High Court in February 2013 for them to approve the party.[9] The party was lastly approved on 15 May 2015 with Abdul Kadir as the first president.[10] IKATAN and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) later formed an informal Third Force political alliances on 16 March 2016,[11] which was agreedly called as Gagasan Sejahtera on 13 August 2016.[12][13][14][15]

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia : Kulim-Bandar Baharu, Kedah[16][17]

Year	Government		Votes	Pct	Opposition		Votes	Pct	Ballots cast	Majority	Turnout
1978		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	16,360	72.04%		Abdul Aziz Kassim (PAS)	6,351	27.96%	Unknown	10,009	Unknown
1982		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	17,097	64.48%		Mohamed Salleh Mohamad (PAS)	4,843	18.26%	27,388	12,254	75.24%
						Lee Chuan Sam @ Lee Chian Sum (DAP)	4,576	17.26%
1986		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	21,043	73.91%		Hassan Razak (PAS)	7,429	26.09%	29,359	13,614	69.76%
1990		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	23,149	70.90%		Hashim Endut (S46)	9,499	29.10%	33,699	13,650	74.23%
1995		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	22,455	73.36%		Abdul Aziz Mohamed (S46)	8,153	26.64%	32,438	14,302	70.60%
1999		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	20,764	62.05%		Syeikh Azmi Ahmad (KEADILAN)	12,697	37.95%	34,781	8,067	73.85%
2004		Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO)	22,556	60.77%		Alwi Mohd Yusop (KEADILAN)	14,558	39.23%	38,789	7,998	77.54%

Awards and honours

• He was also awarded the 'Best Tourism Personality for 2001' by the Pacific Regional Tourism Author Association (PATWA) in Berlin.

Honours of Malaysia

•  Malaysia :
  • Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1992)
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) - Tan Sri (2007)[18][19]

•  Kedah :
  • Knight Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (DHMS) - Dato' Paduka[18]
  • Knight Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (DSDK) - Dato' (1986)[18]
•  Kelantan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (SJMK) - Dato' (2003)[18]
•  Malacca :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Malacca (DGSM) - Datuk Seri (2004)[18]
•  Pahang :
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) - Dato' Sri (2004)[18]
•  Sabah :
  • Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK) - Datuk (1995)[18]
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) - Datuk Seri Panglima[18]

See also

• Kulim-Bandar Baharu (federal constituency)

References

1. "Dewan Kegemilangan (Hall of Fame) > Anak-Anak Kedah" (in Malay). mykedah2.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
2. "More time with family". The Star. 15 February 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
3. KHADIJAH IBRAHIM (8 September 2004). "Mahligai Gading drama RTM pertama 1,000 episod" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
4. "UMNO told me to quit, says Kadir Sheikh Fadzir". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
5. Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir dropped a bomb shell
6. "Kadir Sheikh Fadzir forms new party, could bolster opposition to BN in polls". The Malaysian Insider. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
7. "Parti IKATAN aims to resurrect the aspiration of Malaysia's founding fathers". Astro Awani. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
8. "We're not pro-Bn or PR, but pro-Tunku Abdul Rahman, says new political party". The Rakyat Post. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
9. "Parti Ikatan hauls ROS to court". Free Malaysia Today. 13 February 2013. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
10. "Former minister Kadir launches new multi-racial party". The Star. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
11. "PAS, Ikatan seal 'third force' pact". The Star. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
12. Syed Jaymal Zahiid (13 August 2016). "PAS and Ikatan To Form Gagasan Sejahtera". The Malay Mail.
13. Hafiz Marzukhi (13 August 2016). "Kerjasama PAS-Ikatan: Blok ketiga diberi nama Gagasan Sejahtera" (in Malay). Astro Awani. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
14. Shakira Buang (13 August 2016). "Kerjasama PAS-IKATAN lahirkan Gagasan Sejahtera" (in Malay). Malaysiakini. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
15. Shakira Buang (13 August 2016). "PAS now part of 'Gagasan Sejahtera', to wait and see on Bersatu". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
16. "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
17. "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Results only available from the 2004 election.
18. "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia).
19. "42 terima darjah kebesaran Persekutuan" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 3 June 2007. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2017.