Biography

HIS EXCELLENCY TUN DATO' SERI UTAMA (DR.) HAJI ABDUL RAHMAN B. HAJI ABBAS,D.M.K.,S.M.N.,D.U.P.N.,S.P.D.K.,D.P.,D.M.P.N., D.J.N.,

His Excellency Tun Dato' Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas was born on Friday 15th April 1938 at Permatang Rambai, Kepala Batas, Penang to a couple named Haji Abbas bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Hajjah Jamilah binti Ubaid.

His Excellency had his early education at the Permatang Sintok Malay School, Kepala Batas. His Excellency studied at the Sultan Idris Teachers College, Tanjung Malim from1955 until 1958. From 1960 to 1962, His Excellency attended a teaching course at the Language Institute in Kuala Lumpur. His Excellency taught until 1970, when His Excellency furthered His academic education at the University of Malaya from 1970 to 1973. He graduated with an honours degree in Bachelor of Arts, His Excellency continued teaching and also took an active role in politics. His Excellency was the Senior Assistant at the Seri Muda Penaga Secondary School before ending His Excellency's career in teaching.

His Excellency's political career began on 16th June 1977, when His Excellency was elected as a member of The Penang State Legislative Assembly replacing the late Dato' Haji Ahmad Badawi bin Haji Abdullah. On 8th July 1978, during the general election, His Excellency was re-elected as member of The Penang State Legislative Assembly. Subsequently His Excellency was re-elected for three terms during the general elections in 1982, 1986 and 1990 as member of The Penang State Legislative Assembly.

During His Excellency's political career His Excellency was given the honour to hold some important portfolios such as being the member of The Penang State Executive Council, Chairman of the Agricultural Committee, Chairman of the Local Government Committee and Chairman of the Housing Committee.  From 1990 to 1995, His Excellency was appointed as the Speaker of the Penang State Legislative Assembly.

On three occassions His Excellency performed the duties of the Acting Chief Minister of Penang during The Chief Minister's absence, that is, from l0th September 1982 to 31st October 1982, 24th October 1983 to 12th November 1983 and 29th September 1984 to 18th October 1984.

His Excellency also held several important posts in the UMNO political party. His Excellency was the secretary in the Penang UMNO liaison Party from 1974 to 1988, a member of the executive council of UMNO Youth Movement from 1975 -1979 and treasurer of the UMNO Division in Kepala Batas from 1995 to 2001.

His Excellency married Toh Puan Dato' Seri Utama Hajah Majimor binti Shariff and is blessed with four children. His Excellency likes to read, play golf and jog during His Excellency's leisure time. In the sixties His Excellency used to be a writer going under the name of Norman Abbas.

For His Excellency's services to the society, The Penang State Government honoured His Excellency with several awards. In 1979, His Excellency was awarded Darjah Johan Negeri (D.J.N.), in 1982, the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (D.M.P.N.) and in 2001, the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (D.U,P.N.). His Majesty The King of Malaysia conferred upon His Excellency the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (S.M.N.) on 9th July 2001. On 26th June 2002, the Lions Club of Tanjung, Penang presented the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellow Award on His Excellency in recognition of His Excellency's services to the society and country. The Head of State of Sabah awarded His Excellency with the Darjah Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (S.P.D.K.) on 22 July 2002. On 21st December 2002, His Excellency was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the Sultan Idris University of Education. The Chief Scout of Malaysia awarded His Excellency the Anugerah Semangat Padi (Emas) on 21 September 2003. The Junior Chamber International (JCI) conferred the lifelong Highest Honarary Senatorship Award on His Excellency on 23 May 2004.

On 19 January 2005, His Excellency was appointed as the Chancellor of University Tenaga Nasional for a period of three years.  His Excellency was reappointed as the Chancellor of University Tenaga Nasional effective 19 January 2008 for a period of three years.  His Excellency the Head of State of Sarawak bestowed the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (D.P.) award on His Excellency the Head of State of Penang on 26th. May 2005.  On 16 August 2006, His Excellency was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by University Sains Malaysia.  On 21st. January 2007, His Excellency  was awarded the Darjah Utama Seri Mahawangsa Yang Amat DiHormati (D.M.K.) by His Royal Highness The Sultan Of Kedah Darul Aman.

His Excellency was appointed as the Head of State of Penang on 1st. May 2001 by His Majesty The King of Malaysia for four years.  On 1st. May 2005, His Excellency was reappointed as the Head of State of Penang for an additional four years.  On 1st. May 2009, His Excellency was reappointed for the third time as the Head of State of Penang for a period of two years. On 1st May 2011, His Excellency was reappointed for the fourth time as the Head of State of Penang for a period of two years.