Khir Johari
Tan Sri Mohamed Khir bin Johari (Jawi: محمد خير بن جوهري; 29 January 1923 – 19 November 2006) was a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Education.
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Mohamed Khir Johari PMN DPMS DHMS | |
|---|---|
| محمد خير جوهري | |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 1965–1969 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Rahman Talib |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Rahman Ya'kub |
| Constituency | Kedah Tengah |
| In office 1957–1960 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Razak Hussein |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Rahman Talib |
| Constituency | Kedah Tengah |
| Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives | |
| In office 1963–1965 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Aziz Ishak |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Ghazali Jawi |
| Constituency | Kedah Tengah |
| Minister of Commerce and Industry | |
| In office 18 November 1959 – 9 October 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Ismail Abdul Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Lim Swee Aun |
| Constituency | Kedah Tengah |
| Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States of America | |
| In office February 1972 – March 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Omar Yoke Lin Ong |
| Succeeded by | Zain Azraai Zainal Abidin |
| Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations | |
| In office 1975–1976 | |
| Preceded by | Sardon Jubir |
| Succeeded by | Zaiton Ibrahim |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kuala Muda | |
| In office 4 November 1974 – 29 March 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Daim Zainuddin (UMNO—BN) |
| Majority | 9,518 (1978) Unopposed (1974) |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kedah Tengah (Parliament suspended 13 May 1969 – 20 February 1971) | |
| In office 27 July 1955 – 31 July 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Majority | 2,375 (1969) 10,680 (1964) 6,836 (1959) 29,646 (1955) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohamed Khir bin Johari 29 January 1923 Alor Setar, Kedah, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia) |
| Died | 19 November 2006 (aged 83) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Resting place | Makam Pahlawan, Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur |
| Political party | United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) |
| Other political affiliations | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | Zairil Khir Johari (son) |
| Education | Sultan Abdul Hamid College |
| Occupation | Politician, diplomat |
Born on 29 January 1923, in Alor Setar, Khir received formal education in the prestigious Sultan Abdul Hamid College (KSAH) in Kedah. Khir was a Member of Parliament from 1955 to 1982. He was involved in the Malaysian political scene from its inception and served in the Cabinet of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak.
Upon his retirement he held positions in several organisations, most famously as President of the World Wide Fund for Nature of Malaysia (WWF).
Khir died of heart failure at 83 on 19 November 2006. He was accorded a state funeral and was buried in Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur.