Najib Razak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Hormat Dato' Sri Najib Razak DK II (Pahang) DK I (Brunei) SPMK DMK SSSJ SPSA SSAP SIMP SPDK DUNM DP DSAP PNBS
نجيب رزاق
Official portrait, 2008
6th Prime Minister of Malaysia
In office 3 April 2009 – 9 May 2018
Monarch	Mizan Zainal Abidin Abdul Halim Muhammad V
Deputy	Muhyiddin Yassin Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Preceded by	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Succeeded by	Mahathir Mohamad
7th President of the United Malays National Organisation (ex officio: Chairman of Barisan Nasional)
In office 26 March 2009 – 12 May 2018
Deputy	Muhyiddin Yassin Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Preceded by	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Succeeded by	Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
9th Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
In office 7 January 2004 – 3 April 2009
Prime Minister	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Preceded by	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Succeeded by	Muhyiddin Yassin
12th Menteri Besar of Pahang
In office 4 May 1982 – 14 August 1986
Monarch	Ahmad Shah
Deputy	Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman
Preceded by	Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman
Succeeded by	Mohd Khalil Yaakob
Ministerial portfolios 1978–1979 Deputy Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Posts 1979–1981 Deputy Minister of Education 1981–1982 Deputy Minister of Finance 1986–1987 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports 1987–1990 Minister of Youth and Sports 1990–1995 Minister of Defence 1995–1999 Minister of Education 1999–2008 Minister of Defence 2008–2018 Minister of Finance 2012–2013 Acting Minister of Women, Family and Community Development
Parliamentary offices Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Pekan In office 6 October 1986 – 6 September 2022 Preceded by Mohamed Amin Daud Succeeded by Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali In office 21 February 1976 – 14 June 1982 Preceded by Abdul Razak Hussein Succeeded by Mohamed Amin Daud Member of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly for Bandar Pekan In office 1982–1986 Preceded by Shamsiah Abdul Hamid Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	Mohammad Najib bin Abdul Razak (1953-07-23) 23 July 1953 (age 71) Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Federation of Malaya
Political party	United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (1976–present)
Other political affiliations	Barisan Nasional (BN) (1976–present)
Spouses	Puteri Zainah Eskandar ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1987)​ Rosmah Mansor ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	5 (including Nazifuddin and Nizar)
Parents	Abdul Razak Hussein (father) Rahah Noah (mother)
Relatives	Hishammuddin Hussein (cousin) Riza Aziz (stepson)
Education	St. John's Institution Malvern College
Alma mater	University of Nottingham (BSc)
Signature

Mohammad Najib bin Abdul Razak (born 23 July 1953) is a Malaysian politician. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. He is the son of former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein. During his time as Prime Minister, he faced serious questions about money related to a state investment fund. These issues led to a loss of public trust and his party's defeat in the 2018 general election.

Early Life and Education

Najib Razak was born on 23 July 1953 in Kuala Lipis, Pahang. He is the oldest of six sons of Abdul Razak Hussein, who was Malaysia's second Prime Minister. His uncle, Hussein Onn, was also a Prime Minister.

Najib went to St. John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur for his primary and secondary education. Later, he studied at Malvern College in England. He then attended the University of Nottingham, where he earned a degree in industrial economics in 1974. After returning to Malaysia, he worked briefly at Bank Negara Malaysia (Malaysia's central bank) and then at Petronas, the national oil company.

Early Political Career

Najib began his political journey at a young age. In 1976, when he was just 23, he was elected to the Parliament of Malaysia. He took over the seat of Pekan in Pahang after his father passed away. People respected his father, which helped Najib win without anyone running against him. He was re-elected to the same seat in 1986.

From 1982 to 1986, Najib served as the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Pahang. He was the youngest person to hold this position in the state, starting at age 29. After that, he held various important roles in the Malaysian government until 2009.

Ministerial Roles

Najib became a Deputy Minister in 1978, at the age of 25. This made him the youngest deputy minister in Malaysia. He served in different ministries, including Energy, Telecommunications and Post, and Education.

In 1986, he became the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. He worked to improve sports in Malaysia and introduced the National Sports Policy in 1988. Under his leadership, Malaysia had its best performance ever at the South East Asia (SEA) Games in 1989.

Najib at an UMNO General Assembly

Najib also held important positions within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. He became the head of UMNO Youth's Pekan branch in 1976. By 1993, he was elected as one of the party's vice-presidents.

Senior Ministerial Career

Minister for Defence (1991–1995 and 2000–2008)

Najib served as the Minister of Defence twice. First from 1991 to 1995, and then again from 2000 to 2008.

During his time as Defence Minister, Malaysian troops helped UN peacekeeping forces in places like Bosnia (1993) and Somalia (1993). In 2006, Malaysian troops also helped bring stability to Lebanon.

In 2003, Najib introduced compulsory military service for young Malaysians. This program, called PLKN, aimed to bring young people from different backgrounds together. It also taught them about teamwork and community involvement.

Minister for Education (1995–2000)

From 1995 to 2000, Najib was the Minister of Education. His goal was to help Malaysia become a developed nation by 2020. He introduced a law in 1996 that allowed foreign universities to open branches in Malaysia. This gave Malaysians more chances to get a good education and helped Malaysia become a center for learning in the region.

Najib, pictured in May 2002.

Deputy Prime Minister (2004–2009)

In 2004, Najib became the Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He had many responsibilities, including overseeing human rights and election matters. He also continued to be the Minister for Defence.

In September 2008, he became the Minister for Finance. During a global economic downturn, Najib introduced plans to help Malaysia's economy. He wanted to encourage new industries and attract more investments from other countries.

Becoming Prime Minister

After the 2008 general election, the ruling party did not perform well. Prime Minister Badawi announced that he would step down in March 2009. This opened the way for Najib to become the next Prime Minister.

Najib won the UMNO party presidency without anyone running against him in November 2008. He was then sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia on 3 April 2009.

Prime Minister (2009–2018)

As Prime Minister, Najib introduced many programs to help Malaysia's economy and build new infrastructure. One of these was the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) initiative. However, his time as leader was marked by questions about money and how funds from the 1MDB state investment firm were used. These issues led to his political party losing the general elections in 2018.

Domestic Policy

1Malaysia Program

Najib launched the 1Malaysia campaign in 2008. This program aimed to encourage harmony among different ethnic groups in Malaysia. It also focused on national unity and good governance. The main ideas of 1Malaysia included perseverance, excellence, acceptance, loyalty, education, humility, integrity, and meritocracy.

Najib used websites and social media like Facebook and Twitter to share the 1Malaysia message. He wanted to connect with Malaysians and explain his policies. While the program aimed for unity, some people felt that relations between different groups in Malaysia became more difficult during his time.

BR1M Project (Financial Aid)

The BR1M Project was a plan to help Malaysians with lower incomes. The government gave money to households earning less than a certain amount each month. For example, in the first BR1M project, households received RM 500. Later versions of the project increased the amount of aid and also helped single individuals. This program aimed to ease the financial burden on many families.

Najib and his wife Rosmah waving flags during the Malaysia Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur, 16 September 2011

Housing Programme

Najib's government also started the PR1MA housing program. This program was created to build affordable homes for middle-income families in cities. These homes were priced to be accessible for households earning between RM 2,500 and RM 7,500 per month. The goal was to provide good quality housing in sustainable communities.

National Security Council Bill 2015

In 2015, a new law called the National Security Council Bill was passed. This law gave the Prime Minister more power in security matters. For example, it allowed the Prime Minister to declare any part of Malaysia a "security area." In such areas, authorities could make arrests or search properties without a warrant. Some groups were concerned that this law could lead to the government having too much power.

Economic Policy

Najib addressing the Annual Meeting 2013 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 25 January 2013.

Najib meeting British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable in London, 13 July 2011

New Economic Model

In 2009, Najib announced a plan called the New Economic Model. This plan aimed to help Malaysia become a high-income country. It focused on improving workers' skills and attracting more foreign investment. The goal was to encourage industries that rely on knowledge and new ideas.

Changes to Government Subsidies

Najib's government also started to change how government subsidies worked. Subsidies are when the government helps pay for certain goods to keep prices low. In 2010, subsidies for petrol, diesel, and sugar were reduced. The government said this would save money and encourage healthier habits. They also noted that education and healthcare would continue to receive government support.

Economic Liberalisation

Malaysia made changes to attract more foreign businesses to invest in the country. These changes included allowing foreign investors to own more of certain businesses. The goal was to make Malaysia a more attractive place for international companies to set up operations. This helped Malaysia's economy become more competitive globally.

Stimulus Packages

To help the economy during a global downturn, the Malaysian government introduced two "stimulus packages." These were plans to inject money into the economy to create more activity, especially in construction. These efforts helped Malaysia's economy grow, aiming for the country to become developed by 2020.

Foreign Policy and State Visits

Najib's government actively engaged with other countries.

Palestine

Malaysia has always supported the Palestinian people. Najib visited the West Bank, becoming the first Muslim leader from Southeast Asia to do so. He said that Palestine could count on Malaysia's support. He also encouraged unity between Palestinian groups for lasting peace.

United States

Najib had a good relationship with then-US President Barack Obama. Their meetings helped strengthen the partnership between Malaysia and the United States. Najib also met President Donald Trump, who called him his "favourite prime minister."

India

In 2010, Najib visited India with a large group of ministers and business leaders. They discussed a free-trade agreement and cooperation in education and finance. These talks led to plans for significant investments in Malaysia.

Singapore

Najib visited Singapore in 2009. He and Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, agreed to improve relations between the two countries. They resolved long-standing issues, including railway links and investment plans.

South Korea

Najib attended a summit with South Korea in 2009. They signed an agreement to boost trade and economic ties. Najib also expressed Malaysia's interest in learning from South Korea's technology, especially in developing small nuclear reactors for power.

China

Najib visited China in 2009. He highlighted his family's special connection with China, as his father was the first Malaysian Prime Minister to establish diplomatic relations with China. During the visit, Malaysia and China signed a plan to guide their relationship in 13 key areas.

Indonesia

Najib visited Indonesia in 2009. Discussions covered cooperation in tourism, oil and gas, and high-technology industries.

New Zealand

Under Najib's government, Malaysia signed a free-trade agreement with New Zealand in 2009. This agreement aimed to reduce taxes on goods traded between the two countries, helping businesses in both nations.

Myanmar

In 2016, Najib spoke out against the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He described the ongoing issues as a "genocide," showing Malaysia's concern for human rights in the region.

Philippines and the Moro People of Mindanao

Malaysia played a role in helping to bring peace between the Moro rebels and the Philippine authorities. In 2012, a peace agreement was reached, with Malaysia acting as a witness to the treaty.

2018 Malaysian General Election

In May 2018, Malaysia held its 14th general election. Najib's party, Barisan Nasional, faced a surprising defeat. It was the first time in Malaysia's history that they did not win a majority. Many believed that the unpopular Goods and Services Tax and the questions surrounding the 1MDB fund were major reasons for this loss. After the election, Najib resigned as the leader of UMNO and Barisan Nasional.

Post-Premiership (2018–present)

After the election loss, Najib accepted the defeat and promised a smooth transfer of power. However, investigations into the 1MDB fund were reopened by the new government. Authorities conducted searches and seized items as part of these investigations.

In 2019, a short video clip of Najib saying "Malu Apa Bossku" ("What's there to be ashamed of my boss") became very popular online. This phrase and related images, like him posing with a motorcycle, went viral, especially among Malay youths. This "Bossku" phenomenon helped increase Najib's popularity after his time as Prime Minister.

Personal Life

Najib with his wife Rosmah Mansor in 2009.

In 1976, Najib married Tengku Puteri Zainah Tengku Eskandar, and they had three children. Later, in 1987, he married Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and they have two children together. His daughter, Nooryana, is married to the nephew of a former President of Kazakhstan.

Najib Razak enjoys playing golf. He has even played golf with two former US Presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He also has four long-haired cats named Kiki, Leo, Tiger, and Simba.

Election Results

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

•  Pahang :
  • Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) – Dato'
  • Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly Dato', now Dato' Indera
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (1985)
  • Member 2nd class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK II) (2010)
•  Sarawak :
  • Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (1990)
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi (2008)
•  Sabah :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (2002)
•  Selangor :
  • Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – Dato' (1992)
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) – Dato' Seri (2004)
•  Perak :
  • Ordinary Class of the Perak Family Order of Sultan Azlan Shah (SPSA) – Dato' Seri Diraja (2004)
•  Kelantan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan (SPMK) – Dato' (2004)
•  Negeri Sembilan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) – Dato' Seri Utama (2005)
•  Perlis :
  • Knight Grand Companion of the Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail (SSSJ) – Dato' Seri Diraja (2007)
•  Malacca :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama (2007)
•  Kedah :
  • Member of the Supreme Order of Sri Mahawangsa (DMK) – Dato' Seri Utama (2008)
•  Penang :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama (2009)

Foreign Honours

•  Bahrain :
  • King Hamad Order for Development – (2017)
  • King Hamad (Al Nahda) First Medal – (2017)
•  Brunei :
  • Family Order of Brunei 1st Class (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (2010)
•  Saudi Arabia :
  • Member 1st Class of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud – (2010)
•  Singapore :
  • Recipient Distinguished Service Order (Military) – (1995)
•  Thailand :
  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant – (1991)
•  United Arab Emirates :
  • Order of the Union Medal – (2014)

Honorary Degrees

•  Malaysia :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree in Social Transformation from Limkokwing University (2008)
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from Monash University (2011)
•  Japan :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from Meiji University (2010)
•  Palestine :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from al-Aqsa University (2013)

See also

• Najib Razak controversies
• 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal
• Corruption in Malaysia
• Kleptocracy
• The Kleptocrats
• Murder of Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa
• Unexplained wealth of the Marcos family