Hussein bin Dato' Onn (Jawi: حسين بن عون; 12 February 1922 – 29 May 1990) was a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the third Prime Minister of Malaysia from the death of his predecessor Abdul Razak Hussein in 1976 to his retirement in 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 | |
 | |
| 3rd Prime Minister of Malaysia | |
| 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 5 September 1974 – 5 March 1976 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Preceded by | Tan Siew Sin |
| Succeeded by | Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | |
| In office 8 August 1973 – 5 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 |
| 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 (now Malaysia) |
| Died | 29 May 1990 (aged 68) Seton Medical Center, San Mateo, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Makam Pahlawan, Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 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
editHussein bin Onn was born on 12 February 1922 in Johor Bahru to Onn Jaafar (1895–1962) and Halimah Hussein (1900–1988). 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 was also concurrently married to another of 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 1950), died on 17 September 2006 from breast cancer.[3]
Early education and career
editHussein 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
editHussein, 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
editHussein 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.
Prime Minister (1976-1981)
editOn 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 underwent a coronary bypass in early 1981. His deputy, Mahathir Mohamad become acting prime minister. On 17 July, the same year, Hussein retired from active politics and resigned from the office of prime minister due to health concerns.[1] He was succeeded by Mahathir.
Death
editHussein 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]
Controversy
editHussein Onn era took the easy way out by putting opposition leaders into detention without trial, banning public rallies and controlling all the media.[6]
Election results
edit| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | P100 Johore Bahru Timor, Johore | Hussein Onn (UMNO) | 12,565 | 63.59% | Lee Ah Meng (DAP) | 7,193 | 36.41% | 20,767 | 5,372 | 72.29% | ||
| 1974 | P109 Sri Gading, Johore | Hussein Onn (UMNO) | Unopposed | |||||||||
| 1978 | Hussein Onn (UMNO) | 19,761 | 89.06% | Hassan Hussein (PAS) | 2,427 | 10.94% | 17,334 | |||||
Awards and recognitions
editHonours of Malaysia
edit
Malaysia :
Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (1981)[7][8]
Johor :
Grand Commander of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (1976)
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' (1972)[9]
Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty of Sultan Ismail of Johor (SSIJ) – Dato' (1975)[10]
First Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS I)
Kelantan :
Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK)
Negeri Sembilan :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) – Dato' Seri Utama (1980)[11]
Pahang :
Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly Dato', now Dato' Indera (1975)[12]
Penang :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama (1977)[13]
Perak :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri (1976)[14]
Sabah :
Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (1974)[15]
Sarawak :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi
Selangor :
Second Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK II) (1977)[16]
Terengganu :
Member First Class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK I) (1977)
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Places named after him
editSeveral 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
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "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 "Tun Suhailah, widow of 3rd PM Tun Hussein Onn, dies at 82". 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.
- ^ Tong, Liew Chin (2021). Lim Kit Siang: Patriot, Leader, Fighter. p. 71.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Hussein orang pertama terima darjah Seri Paduka Negeri Sembilan" (PDF). Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Perdana Leadership Foundation. 26 February 1980. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
- ^ Pahang ruler birthday message. New Straits Times. 24 October 1975.
- ^ "梹州元首庆六十华诞 三百五十六官民 受封赐各级勳衔" [Yang-Dipertua Negeri Penang celebrate 60th birthday 356 individuals conferred over awards]. 星洲日報. 16 July 1977. p. 6.
- ^ "SPCM 1976". pingat.perak.gov.my. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ Hussein and Rahah get top Sabah awards. New Straits Times. 14 September 1974. p. 1.
- ^ "DK II 1977". awards.selangor.gov.my. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
