Hussein Onn
Tun Hussein bin Dato' Onn (Jawi: حسين بن عون; 12 February 1922 – 29 May 1990) was a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Malaysia from the death of his predecessor Abdul Razak Hussein in January 1976 to his retirement in July 1981. Moreover, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sri Gading from 1974 to 1981, representing Barisan Nasional (BN) and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). He was granted the soubriquet Father of Unity (Bapa Perpaduan).
Hussein Onn | |
|---|---|
| حسين عون | |
Hussein Onn, pre-1963 | |
| 3rd Prime Minister of Malaysia | |
| Honoured as Father of Unity Bapa Perpaduan باڤ ڤرڤادوان | |
| In office 15 January 1976 – 16 July 1981 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Deputy | Mahathir Mohamad |
| Preceded by | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Succeeded by | Mahathir Mohamad |
| 3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia | |
| In office 13 August 1973 – 15 January 1976 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Preceded by | Ismail Abdul Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Mahathir Mohamad |
| 4th President of the United Malays National Organisation | |
| In office 15 September 1978 – 28 June 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Succeeded by | Mahathir Mohamad |
| 1st Youth Chief of the United Malays National Organisation | |
| In office 1949–1951 | |
| President | Onn Jaafar |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 1979–1981 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah |
| Prime Minister | Hussein Onn |
| Preceded by | Abdul Taib Mahmud |
| Succeeded by | Mahathir Mohamad |
| In office 1976–1978 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah |
| Prime Minister | Hussein Onn |
| Preceded by | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Taib Mahmud |
| Minister of Federal Territories | |
| In office 1978–1980 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | Hussein Onn |
| Preceded by | Hassan Adli Arshad |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Taib Mahmud |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1974–1976 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Preceded by | Tan Siew Sin |
| Succeeded by | Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | |
| In office 13 August 1973 – 14 September 1974 | |
| Monarch | Abdul Halim |
| Prime Minister | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Preceded by | Ismail Abdul Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Hamzah Abu Samah |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 1970–1973 | |
| Monarch | Abdul Halim |
| Prime Minister | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Preceded by | Abdul Rahman Ya'kub |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Yaacob |
| 4th [[1st President of the International Islamic University Malaysia]] | |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| Chancellor | Ahmad Shah |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Anwar Ibrahim |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Sri Gading | |
| In office 4 November 1974 – 16 July 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Mustaffa Mohammad |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Johore Bahru Timor (Parliament suspended 13 May 1969 – 20 February 1971) | |
| In office 20 February 1971 – 31 July 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Fatimah Abdul Majid |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hussein bin Onn 12 February 1922 Johor Bahru, Johor, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia) |
| Died | 29 May 1990 (aged 68) Seton Medical Center, South San Francisco, California, United States |
| Resting place | Makam Pahlawan, Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur |
| Political party | Independent (1987–1990) |
| Other political affiliations | United Malays National Organisation (Before 1951; 1968–1988) Independence of Malaya Party (1951–1963) National Party (1963–1968) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 (including Hishammuddin Hussein) |
| Parents |
|
| Education | English College Johore Bahru Indian Military Academy |
| Alma mater | Lincoln's Inn (LLB) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | British Raj |
| Branch/service | British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
Family
Hussein bin Onn was born on 12 February 1922 in Johor Bahru to Onn Jaafar (1895–1962) and Halimah Hussein (1899–1988). His father was a fighter for Malaysian independence and co-founder of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).[1] Hussein's grandfather, Jaafar Haji Muhammad, was the first Menteri Besar of Johor while his grandmother, Rogayah Hanim, came from the Caucasus region of Ottoman Empire. She was likely presented as a concubine (see Circassian beauties) by the Ottoman court to the Sultan of Johor.[2]
Additionally, Hussein was the brother-in-law of Abdul Razak Hussein, his predecessor as prime minister, for whom Hussein wed Suhailah Noah, a daughter of first Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Mohamed Noah Omar, in 1948. Abdul Razak married another Mohamed Noah's daughter, Rahah Noah.[3]
Hussein and Suhaila had six children, including their fourth child, Hishammuddin Hussein, who is a senior UMNO politician since the 1990s.[3] Their eldest daughter, Datin Roquaiya Hanim (born 1949), died on 17 September 2005 from breast cancer.[3]
Early education and career
Hussein received his early education at Telok Kurau Primary School, Singapore, and at the English College Johore Bahru. After leaving school, he joined the Johor Military Forces as a cadet in 1940 and was sent a year later to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, India. Upon completion of his training, he was absorbed into the Indian Army and served in the Middle East when the Second World War broke out.[1] His vast experience prompted the British to employ him as an instructor at the Malayan Police Recruiting and Training Centre in Rawalpindi.[1]
Hussein came back to Malaya in 1945 and was appointed Commandant of the Johor Bahru Police Depot. The following year, he joined the Malaya Civil Service as an assistant administrative officer in Segamat, Johor. He was later posted to the state of Selangor, becoming Klang and Kuala Selangor's district officer.
Entering politics
Hussein, who came from a family with a deep nationalistic spirit and political roots,[1] resigned from the civil service to go into politics. In 1949, he became the first youth chief of UMNO, a party his father helped establish. In 1950, he was elected UMNO secretary general. Hussein, however, left UMNO in 1951 to join his father in forming the Independence of Malaya Party (IMP).[1]
With IMP losing momentum, Hussein went to London to study law and was called to the Bar and admitted as a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, qualifying as a Barrister-at-Law. He came back as a certified lawyer and practised in Kuala Lumpur.[1]
Rise to prominence
Hussein returned to politics by rejoining UMNO in 1968, persuaded to do so by then-Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein.[1] He stood and won the general elections in 1969 and was appointed as the Education Minister. Hussein's meteoric rise continued on 13 August 1973, when he took over as Deputy Prime Minister, succeeding Ismail Abdul Rahman, who died in office due to a heart attack.
Premiership
On 15 January 1976, Hussein, who was the Deputy Prime Minister, was appointed as Prime Minister after the death of his predecessor, Abdul Razak.[4]
Hussein was renowned for stressing the issue of unity through policies aimed at rectifying economic imbalances between the various communities found in Malaysia.[1] For instance, on 20 April 1981, the National Unit Trust Scheme was launched. He also gave serious consideration to the concept of Rukun Tetangga (a neighbourhood watch scheme) and the fight against the drug menace.
Hussein underwent a coronary bypass in early 1981. On 17 July, the same year, he retired from active politics and resigned from the office of prime minister due to health concerns.[1] He was succeeded by his deputy, Mahathir Mohamad.
Post-retirement
After his retirement from politics, Hussein continued to contribute to welfare organisations. He was instrumental in the setting up of the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital. He was also an advisor to PETRONAS, the country's oil company, and chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).
Death
Hussein died on 29 May 1990 of heart disease at Seton Medical Center in South San Francisco, California, at the age of 68.[1] He was buried next to his predecessor, Abdul Razak, at Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur.[5]
Awards and recognitions
Honours of Malaysia
- Malaysia :
- Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (1981)[6][7]
- Johor :
- First Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS I)
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' (1972)[8]
- Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty of Sultan Ismail of Johor (SSIJ) – Dato' (1975)[9]
- Grand Commander of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (1976)
- Selangor :
- Second Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK II) (1977)[10]
- Terengganu :
- Member First Class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK I) (1977)
- Kelantan :
- Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK)
- Perak :
- Grand Knight of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri (1976)[11]
- Negeri Sembilan :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) – Dato' Seri Utama (1980)[12]
- Pahang :
- Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly Dato', now Dato' Indera (1975)[13]
- Sabah :
- Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (1974)[14]
- Sarawak :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi
- Penang :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama
Places named after him
Several places were named after him, including:
- Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, a township in Cheras, Hulu Langat, Selangor
- Desa Tun Hussein Onn, a Malaysian Armed Forces residential area near Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur
- Tun Hussein Onn Jamek Mosque, a mosque in Larkin, Johor, Johor
- Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia (UTHM) Batu Pahat, Johor
- Institut Pendidikan Tun Hussein Onn (IPTHO) Batu Pahat, Johor
- Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, a residential college at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor
- Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, a residential college at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor
- Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, a residential college at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kuala Perlis, Perlis
- Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, a residential college at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Machang, Kelantan
- SMK Tun Hussein Onn (SMKTHO), a secondary school in Kluang, Johor
- SMK Tun Hussein Onn (SMKTHO), a secondary school in Seberang Jaya, Penang
- SK Tun Hussein Onn (SKTHO), a primary school in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur
- Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tun Hussein Onn Highway, part of the Penang Bridge, Penang
- Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, a major road in Putrajaya
- Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, a road in Seberang Jaya, Penang
- Jalan Tun Hussein, a road in Felda Ayer Tawar, Kota Tinggi, Johor
- Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, a road in Taman Tinggi, Sibu, Sarawak
- Tun Hussein Onn Hockey Cup
- Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Putra World Trade Centre
- Tun Hussein Onn Memorial, a memorial in Kuala Lumpur
- SMK Desa Tun Hussein Onn (SMKDTHO), a secondary school in Desa Tun Hussein Onn, Kuala Lumpur
- SK Desa Tun Hussein Onn (SKDTHO), a primary school in Desa Tun Hussein Onn, Kuala Lumpur
Notes and references
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Tun Hussein Onn". Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- ^ Mehmet Ozay; Ekrem Saltık (June 2015). "The Myth and Reality of Rukiye Hanim in the Context of Turkish Malay Relations (1864–1904)". Insan & Toplum – Journal of Humanity and Society. 5 (9): 55–74. doi:10.12658/human.society.5.9.M0116.
- ^ a b c . The Malaysian Insider. 4 October 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ Tan, Chee Khoon & Vasil, Raj (ed., 1984). Without Fear or Favour, p. 38. Eastern Universities Press. ISBN 967-908-051-X.
- ^ Zainah Anwar (2011). Legacy of honour. Kuala Lumpur: Yayasan Mohamed Noah. p. 275. ISBN 978-967-10382-0-8. OCLC 816815135.
- ^ "Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1981" (PDF).
- ^ "Anugerah Tun untuk Hussein kerana jasanya pada negara" (PDF). Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Perdana Leadership Foundation. 17 July 1981. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ministers head Sultan's awards list. New Straits Times. 16 November 1972.
- ^ A Royal call to live in peace. New Straits Times. 29 October 1975.
- ^ "DK II 1977". awards.selangor.gov.my. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ "SPCM 1976". pingat.perak.gov.my. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ "Hussein orang pertama terima darjah Seri Paduka Negeri Sembilan" (PDF). Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Perdana Leadership Foundation. 26 February 1980. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Pahang ruler birthday message. New Straits Times. 24 October 1975.
- ^ Hussein and Rahah get top Sabah awards. New Straits Times. 14 September 1974. p. 1.