New Perak MB is a prominent politician

IPOH, 5 Feb 2009: The incoming Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, 47, a second term Pangkor assemblyperson is a prominent political figure in Perak and has contributed to the development of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in the state.

Starting off his career in politics as Pangkor Umno Youth chief in 1992 and later as head of the Perak Umno Youth, Zambry has been responsible in developing the state’s ICT development during his tenure as Perak state executive council (Exco) member tasked with multimedia.

Zambry, after winning his first state seat in Pangkor in the March 2004 general election, served as chairperson of education, human resources and multimedia committee from 2004 until 26 Sept 2006.

During a minor reshuffle, he became chair of higher education, science and technology and innovation committee and wielded with more authority to further develop ICT in Perak.

Born in Pulau Pangkor on March 22, 1962, the Lumut Umno division chief graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1987 and four years later a master’s degree in Islamic thinking from the same university.

The former Umno Youth executive council member also obtained a master’s degree in political philosophy and religious comparison in 1992 and three years later a doctorate with distinction in contemporary politics from Temple University, United States.

An active writer, Zambry has won several awards in writing competitions during his student days. Among them were the National Day Essay Writing Award in 1982 and National Award for Religious Writing in 1986.

He also has also written several books including Umno dan Jiwa Merdeka (1998), Pemuda Umno Menebus Maruah, Menuju Arah (2000) and Islam Malaysia & Amerika (2002).

In 2005, the father of five — three girls and two boys — was conferred the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Honorary Lt Commander award by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail who was then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Zambry became the first Malaysian politician to be given such an award. — Bernama