Name Abu Omar | Role Politician | |
Bekas MB: Khalid Ibrahim sedia bantu BN rampas S'gor
Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Haji Abu Hassan bin Omar (born 15 September 1940) is a Malaysian politician from United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a major component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. He was the 12th Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor, Malaysia, from 1997 to 2000. Previously he was also the Minister of Social Welfare (1985–1986), Minister of Federal Territories (1986–1987), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1987–1991) and Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (1991–1997). He was also a former Member of Parliament for Kuala Selangor (1978–1997) and Selangor state assemblyman for Permatang (1997–1999) in Selangor.
Contents
- Bekas MB Khalid Ibrahim sedia bantu BN rampas Sgor
- Personal life
- Political career
- Controversies and crisis
- References
Personal life
Abu Hassan was born on 15 September 1940 in Bukit Belimbing, Kuala Selangor, Selangor.
He received his early education at the Malay School of Bukit Belimbing (1946–1950) before furthering his studies at Klang High School (1951–1957), Malay College Kuala Kangsar (1958–1959) and University of Hull, England (1960–1963 and 1971–1973). At the University of Hull, he specialised in Area and Regional Development for his Masters.
Abu Hassan is married to Wan Nor Daud and the couple has five children.
Before he entered politic, he served as Administration and Diplomatic Officer (ADO) from 1964 to 1978. He served previously as Chief Assistant Secretary of Economy Planning Unit in the Prime Minister Department, Assistant Secretary of Selangor State Government and Assistant Secretary of Land and Federal Territory Development Ministry.
Political career
Abu Hassan started his political career when he contested and won Kuala Selangor parliamantary seat in the 1978 general election on 8 July 1978. He successfully retained the seat in the subsequent 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1995 general elections.
On 30 April 1997, he resigned as Member of Parliament for Kuala Selangor and his cabinet minister post in order to contest the Selangor state seat of Permatang by-election which fell vacant when its incumbent assemblyman, Jamaluddin Adnan also resigned to swap their positions as an arrangement move for him to be elected as an assemblyman enabling him to be appointed the new Selangor Menteri Besar to replace Muhammad Muhammad Taib who step down over currency irregularities court charges and controversies.
After managed to be elected as a representative of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly in the by-election on 29 May 1997, he was appointed as the Menteri Besar of Selangor from 6 Jun 1997 to 9 August 2000.
Controversies and crisis
Initially there had been issue and controversy of the RM5 million expenditure to renovate the official residence of the Menteri Besar at Bukit Megawati, Shah Alam for Abu Hassan brought up by certain quarters.
In 2000, there had been poison letter and rumour started spreading around and even reported in the Indonesia's Jawa Post about an alleged sex scandal and ill-concealed relationship between Abu Hassan with his wife's sister. Abu Hassan had denied any wrong doing claiming his sister-in-law actually had married his good friend, a Chinese new Muslim convert (Muallaf) who coincidentally share his Islamic name; Abu Hassan Tan Abdullah which is the reason their son's name is Mohamad Hafiz bin Abu Hassan that had caused all the confusion. The opposition had reported the case to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) demanding investigation on their relationship and if they have a son which is illegitimate under the religion law.
On 10 August 2000, Abu Hassan abruptly announced his resignation as Menteri Besar of Selangor citing health and family reasons but he had elaborate other existing controversies and crisis bothering him.