Sultan Dr. Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, 59
Position: Sultan of Perak
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government, Harvard University
- Master of Public Administration, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
- B.A. (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Oxford University
Trivia:
The Sultan’s fields of academic interest encompass political and economic development in East Asia, and economic history. He has written and spoken extensively on a broad range of nation-building issues, ranging from socio-economic development to Islamic finance.
Honorary distinctions:
- Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge University
- Doctor of Economics, Soka University, Tokyo.
Honorary positions:
- Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya
- Member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactor, Oxford
- Honorary Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford
- Member of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford.
Website: rajanazrin.com
Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, 60
Positions: Minister of Higher Education; and MP for Besut
Qualifications:
- Master of Business Administration in Finance, University of New Haven
- Arabic Language Studies, University of Jordan
- Bachelor in Social Sciences (Economics), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Entrepreneurship Course, Aston University, Birmingham
Summer programmes:
- Advanced Management Programme (AMP), Harvard University
- Leaders in Developing Countries Programme, Kennedy School of Executive Education, Harvard University
- Advanced Management Programme, INSEAD, France
Academic leadership and awards:
- President of the International Student Association at University of New Haven
- President of the USM Students Council
- Gold Medal Award Recipient for Best Student at USM
Website: Facebook.com/DatoSeriIdrisJusoh
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, 52
Positions: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department; and MP for Pengerang
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws (LL.M), London School of Economics and Political Science
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Universiti Malaya
- Diploma in Public Administration, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Trivia:
- Azalina was named a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the Global Economic Forum in Davos in 2003
- She holds the 7th ‘dan’ (7th degree senior) in taekwondo
Website: azalinaothmansaid.com
Tony Pua, 43
Positions: MP for Petaling Jaya Utara; and DAP National Publicity Secretary
Qualifications:
- B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Oxford University (Keble College) on a scholarship from the MTC Foundation
- O- and A-Levels at Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College on ASEAN and Shaw Foundation scholarships from the Singapore government
Trivia:
- Tony published his first book, “The Tiger That Lost Its Roar: A Tale of Malaysia’s Political Economy”, in 2011
- He runs the academic-oriented blog ‘Education in Malaysia’ with Kian Ming Ong.
Website: tonypua.blogspot.my
Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, 66
Positions: Former Senator in the Dewan Negara; 3rd Chief Minister of Penang
Qualifications:
- BSc. in Physics, Princeton University
- Ph.D. in Economics and Sociology of Education, University of Chicago
- Fulbright Scholar, Stanford University
Trivia:
Koh once taught and was Deputy Dean of Education at Universiti Sains Malaysia
Academic awards:
- University Scholar Award, Princeton University
- Phi Beta Kappa Award, Princeton University
Website: Facebook.com/kohtsukoon.my
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, 54
Positions: Minister of Defence; and Vice President of UMNO
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws (LL.M) in Commercial and Corporate Law, London School of Economics
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), University of Wales, Aberystwyth
- GCSE, Cheltenham College, England
Website: Facebook.com/HishammuddinH2O
Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, 62
Positions: Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water; and MP for Kota Marudu
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Agricultural Economics, La Trobe University, Melbourne
- BSc. in Agricultural Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, on a Colombo Plan Scholarship
Fellowships and summer programmes:
- Harvard Institute for International Development
- Oxford University SAID Business School
- United Nations University, Tokyo
Honorary distinctions:
- Doctorate of Life Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University
- Doctorate of Leadership in Innovation, LimKokWing University of Creative Technology
Trivia:
- Due to family hardship, Maximus only started schooling at age 10
- He began his career as a lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia
Website: mpkotamarudu.my
Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, 63
Positions: Leader of the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat; MP for Permatang Pauh; President of PKR; and Selangor state legislative assembly for Kajang
Qualifications:
- Ph.D in Ophthalmology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
- BSc. in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Distinction:
Wan Azizah was the first East Asian ever to be awarded the MacNaughton-Jones Gold Medal as Best Student of the Year at RCSI
Website: Facebook.com/drwawi
Dato’ Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, 53
Positions: Chief Minister of Perak; and member of the Perak state legislative assembly for Pangkor
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Political Thought (Distinction), Temple University, Philadelphia
- Master’s in Political Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Master’s in Islamic Thought, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- B.Econs (Honours) International Islamic University Malaysia
Roles in academia:
- Assistant Professor for the Political Science Department, IIUM
- Chairman of the Malaysian Students Conference 1994 in the US
- Director of the Southeast Asia Intellectual Meeting 1994 in the US
Website: Facebook.com/zambryabdkadir
Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, 65
Positions: Minister of International Trade and Industry; and MP for Jeli
Qualifications:
- Master’s in Economic Development, Boston University
- B.A. (First Class Honours) in Economics, University of Melbourne
Honorary distinctions:
- Honorary Degree of Law by the University of Nottingham
- Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from the University of Melbourne
- Honorary Fellowship to the National Institute of Public Administration and Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia
Role in academia:
Mustapa lectured at the National Institute of Public Administration prior to entering the political arena
Website: Facebook.com/Mustapa-Mohamed
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, 51
Positions: Chief Minister of Selangor; MP for Gombak; Member of the Selangor state legislative assembly for Bukit Antarabangsa; and Deputy President of PKR
Qualifications:
- Master’s of Education in Mathematics and Economics, University of Minnesota
- BSc. in Mathematics and Economics, University of Minnesota
Summer programme: Executive Training Programme on Political Administration (Distinction), Oxford University
Trivia:
Azmin taught Modern and Traditional Mathematics while studying for his degrees; and met his future wife, Shamsida Taharin, in Minnesota.
Website: azminali.com/blog
Nancy Shukri, 54
Positions: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department; and MP for Batang Sadong
Qualifications:
- Executive Masters in Business Administration, Ohio University
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of Hull, UK
- Diploma in Public Administration, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Award:
Nancy received the Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Award from Ohio University
Website: Twitter.com/NancyShukri
Yeo Bee Yin, 32
Positions: Member of the Selangor state legislative assembly for Damansara Utama; and DAP Social Media Strategist
Qualifications:
- Master’s in Philosophy in Advanced Chemical Engineering, Cambridge University, on a Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Bachelor’s (First Class Honours) in Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, on a Petronas scholarship
Trivia:
Yeo organizes leadership training camps for university students called LEAP (Leadership, Education, Activism and Politics).
Website: Yeobeeyin.com
Khairi Jamaluddin, 40
Positions: Minister of Youth and Sports; MP for Rembau; and UMNO Youth Chief
Qualifications:
- Master’s in Legal and Political Theory, University College London
- B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Oxford University (St Hugh’s College)
- GCSE, United World College of Southeast Asia, Singapore
Fellowships:
Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (on a Chevening scholarship)
Trivia:
- Khairy interned with The Economist as a writer in the magazine’s foreign news department
- He was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2005
Website: Facebook.com/Khairykj
Nurul Izzah Anwar, 35
Positions: MP for Lembah Pantai; and Vice President of PKR
Qualifications:
- Master’s in International Relations, Johns Hopkins University
- BSc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional
Achievements:
- Founding member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Caucus
- Honorary Treasurer of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Malaysia
- Founder of Akademi Manusiawi – a training centre for future activists and politicians.
- Nurul collaborates with ABIM, SUARAM, Women Leaders International Forum, and Friedrich-Ebert Stifung on advocacy work.
Website: Nurulizzah.com