Tan Sri Abdullah bin Ahmad (4 July 1937 – 12 June 2016)[1][2] was a Malaysian journalist and politician from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Alumni of Sultan Ismail College, Kota Bharu, Kelantan and at one time, he was the editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times. Abdullah Ahmad held significant influence during the administrations of Abdul Razak Hussein and Mahathir Mohamad.
On 12 November 2003, he wrote an article criticising Saudi Arabian policies that aided the United States invasion of Iraq, among other things. As a result, the Saudi government reduced Malaysian quota for haj.[3] On 21 November of the same year, he "was fired without warning by the daily's management at the request of the ruling UMNO party following a complaint by the Saudi ambassador in Malaysia." UMNO, which is part of the ruling government and holding equity in the papers later stated that he had jeopardised Malaysia's close relationship with Saudi Arabia. He had a contract that was supposed to expire in October 2004.[4]
Ahmad died on 12 June 2016, after battling cancer. He was 79.[5][6] His body was brought back to his hometown in Kok Lanas, Kelantan.[7]
Election results
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | P024 Machang, Kelantan | Abdullah Ahmad (UMNO) | 13,183 | 71.80% | Mohamed Yusoff Mohamed Nor (IND) | 5,177 | 28.20% | 19,156 | 8,006 | 75.46% | ||
Honours
Malaysia :
Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (1999)[9]
Kelantan :
Companion of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (JMK)- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (SJMK) – Dato'
Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan (DPMK) – Dato'
Pahang :
Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) – Dato' (2000)
Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2002)
Penang :
Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DGPN) – Dato' Seri (2002)
Sabah :
Member of the Order of Kinabalu (ADK)
Sarawak :
Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – formerly Dato', now Dato Sri
References
- ^ "Dato Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad". National Archives of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Dato Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad". National Archives of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2018. (in Malay)
- ^ The Straits Times. New Straits Times chief editor sacked Archived 6 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Extracted 26 March 2006.
- ^ Reporters without borders. New Straits Times editor in chief fired as a result of Saudi pressure Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Extracted 26 March 2006.
- ^ Former NST boss Abdullah Ahmad dies of cancer
- ^ "Dollah Kok Lanas dies of cancer". Malaysiakini. 12 June 2016.
- ^ "Abdullah Ahmad laid to rest in Kok Lanas". The Star. 13 June 2016.
- ^ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
- ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
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