Abdullah Ahmad PSM SSAP SJMK DGPN PNBS DSAP DPMK ADK | |
---|---|
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department | |
In office 1974–1976 | |
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Machang | |
In office 1974–1978 | |
Preceded by | constituency created |
Succeeded by | Mohd Kassim @ Yahya Ahmad |
Personal details | |
Born | Machang, Kelantan, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia) | 4 July 1933
Died | 12 June 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | (aged 82)
Political party | United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (–2016) |
Spouse | Fauzah Mohamad Darus |
Occupation | Academic, politician, writer |
Tan Sri Abdullah bin Ahmad (4 July 1933 – 12 June 2016)[1][2] was a Malaysian journalist and politician from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Alumni of Sultan Ismail College, Kota Bharu, Kelantan and at one time, he was the editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times. Abdullah Ahmad held significant influence during the administrations of Abdul Razak Hussein and Mahathir Mohamad.
On 12 November 2003, he wrote an article criticising Saudi Arabian policies that aided the United States invasion of Iraq, among other things. As a result, the Saudi government reduced Malaysian quota for haj.[3] On 21 November of the same year, he "was fired without warning by the daily's management at the request of the ruling UMNO party following a complaint by the Saudi ambassador in Malaysia." UMNO, which is part of the ruling government and holding equity in the papers later stated that he had jeopardised Malaysia's close relationship with Saudi Arabia. He had a contract that was supposed to expire in October 2004.[4]
Ahmad died on 12 June 2016, after battling cancer. He was 82.[5][6] His body was brought back to his hometown in Kok Lanas , Kelantan.[7]