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The 2014 state budget, Mukhriz's first, allocated resources toward such development priorities, though specific breakdowns emphasized infrastructure and investment incentives over agricultural subsidies.[44][48]These initiatives sought to transition Kedah from reliance on paddy farming toward manufacturing and services, with EXCO portfolios under Mukhriz including agro-based industries to integrate agriculture with value-added processing.
The administration sought to transform the state into a developed entity within five years through industrial expansion balanced against farmland preservation.[65][66]Key administrative efforts included bolstering the rice sector, vital for Kedah's economy and Malaysia's food security, as the state maintains extensive water catchments and forests essential for irrigation despite constraining broader development.
He held various posts of several business firms, which include Opcom Holdings,[1][2] Kosmo Tech[3] as well as the Malaysian Franchise Association.[4] He is also the executive director of Perdana Peace Global Organisation.[5]
Mukhriz was noted for his continuous efforts in speaking for his father in the events of the rift between the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his father.[6][7] In 2006, Mukhriz won the election of UMNO's Kubang Pasu division, coming in fifth.
Nominations for the posts coincided with division meetings which took place between October and November 2008. He was rivalled by Khairy Jamaluddin and Khir Toyo. The administration focused on enhancing the state's competitiveness ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community integration, emphasizing infrastructure upgrades and investment facilitation via agencies like Kedah Invest.[41][44]A key initiative involved bolstering the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), a major industrial zone hosting electronics and manufacturing firms.
By late 2018, foreign investments in Kedah since 2013—largely concentrated in KHTP—exceeded RM8.6 billion, reflecting momentum built during his tenure.[45][46][47]In northern Kedah, the government announced plans in November 2013 to establish an industrial park, potentially a science park, in Bukit Kayu Hitam to draw high-value investments and create jobs.
This plan, discussed in 2015, aimed to facilitate exports and attract manufacturers by improving connectivity. On 3 February 2016, Mukhriz tendered his resignation after losing the confidence of a majority in the 36-seat Kedah State Legislative Assembly, following a secret ballot involving BN and opposition members that confirmed he no longer commanded support from at least 12 assemblymen.[6][49] He attributed the ousting directly to his vocal stance against Najib, describing it as an attempt to silence dissent on 1MDB and governance failures affecting Kedah's economy, including stalled development projects.[5][43] The Prime Minister's Office countered that the resignation stemmed purely from eroded assembly backing, amid UMNO's internal push for unity under Najib.[49][50]Subsequent Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probes into 1MDB revealed that KedahUMNO received RM2 million in 2013 from entities tied to the fund's transactions, part of broader allocations to 41 local recipients totaling over RM200 million.[51][52] Mukhriz, who led KedahUMNO at the time, maintained he had no knowledge of these funds, emphasizing they were not directed to state government initiatives under his administration and distancing himself from any impropriety.[52] No charges were filed against him personally in relation to 1MDB, with investigations focusing on national-level figures and intermediaries rather than state actors like Mukhriz, whose role appeared confined to political opposition rather than operational involvement.[51] This episode marked a pivotal fracture in his UMNO career, accelerating his shift toward independent alignments outside the party's Najib-dominated structure.
Formation and Role in BERSATU (2016–2020)
Following his expulsion from UMNO and ouster as Menteri Besar of Kedah in May 2016 over alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal, Mukhriz Mahathir co-founded Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) later that year alongside his father Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, and other former UMNO members critical of then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.[53] The party, established in September 2016 as a Malay-centric alternative emphasizing Bumiputera interests and anti-corruption reforms, aimed to consolidate indigenous support disillusioned with UMNO's leadership.[54] Mukhriz played a key role in its formation, leveraging his political experience and family influence to attract defectors.[55]Appointed as BERSATU's founding Deputy President and Kedah state chairman, Mukhriz focused on organizational development, particularly strengthening the party's base in northern Malaysia.[56] BERSATU was officially launched on 14 January 2017 at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam, with Mukhriz joining Chairman Mahathir Mohamad and President Muhyiddin Yassin as one of the top leaders on stage.[57] In November 2016, the party formalized its alliance with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition, positioning itself as a vehicle to challenge Barisan Nasional in the upcoming elections.[58]As Deputy President, Mukhriz contributed to membership drives and grassroots mobilization, especially in Kedah, where he recruited local leaders and emphasized economic empowerment for Malays amid criticisms of UMNO's governance failures.[59] His efforts helped BERSATU secure parliamentary seats in the 2018 general election, contributing to PH's victory and his subsequent reappointment as Kedah Menteri Besar.By 2008, this role culminated in his nomination as the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Jerlun parliamentary constituency, marking his shift toward electoral politics.[32]
Federal Parliament Tenure (2008–2013)
Mukhriz Mahathir was elected to the Dewan Rakyat as the Member of Parliament for Jerlun, Kedah, in the 2008 Malaysian general election, representing the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) under the Barisan Nasional coalition.[33] The Jerlun constituency, located in northern Kedah, encompasses rural and agricultural areas, aligning with UMNO's traditional Malay voter base.Mukhriz Mahathir
BUSINESSPERSON
1964 - Today
Mukhriz Mahathir
Mukhriz bin Mahathir (Jawi: مخرج بن محاضر; born 25 November 1964) is a Malaysian politician and businessman who served as the 11th and 13th Menteri Besar of Kedah from May 2013 to February 2016 and again from May 2018 to May 2020, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Ministers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak as well as former Minister Mustapa Mohamed from March 2008 to May 2013, Member of Parliament (MP) for Jerlun from March 2008 to May 2013 and again from May 2018 to November 2022 as well as Member of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Jitra from May 2018 to August 2023 and for Ayer Hitam from May 2013 to May 2018.
He is the third son of Mahathir Mohamad, the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Mukhriz Mahathir is the 769th most popular businessperson, the 59th most popular biography from Malaysia and the 2nd most popular Malaysian Businessperson.
Mukhriz Mahathir is most famous for being a Malaysian businessman and politician, serving as the Chief Minister of Kedah and holding various positions within the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
Under Mukhriz's leadership, the state proposed the development of Kulim International Airport, initially as an air cargo facility costing an estimated RM3.89 billion, to serve as a logistics hub supporting KHTP's growth and northern regional trade. On 28 May 2020, BERSATU's supreme council terminated his membership—along with Mahathir's and three others—for allegedly failing to support the party's parliamentary bloc during the ensuing leadership crisis, a move the faction disputed as unconstitutional.[61][62] This expulsion marked the end of his formal role in the party he helped establish.
Second Term as Menteri Besar of Kedah (2018–2020)
Following Pakatan Harapan's victory in the 2018 general election, securing 19 seats in the 36-seat Kedah State Legislative Assembly, Mukhriz Mahathir was sworn in as the 13th Menteri Besar on 11 May 2018.[63][64] His second term emphasized sustainable economic growth while safeguarding Kedah's agricultural heritage, particularly its padi fields that underpin national rice self-sufficiency.His election marked his entry into federal politics following prior involvement in UMNO at the divisional level.[12]Following the formation of Prime Minister Najib Razak's cabinet in April 2009, Mukhriz was appointed Deputy Minister in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), a position he held until the end of his parliamentary term in 2013.[33][34] In this capacity, he supported policies aimed at enhancing Malaysia's export-oriented economy and attracting foreign investment, though specific initiatives tied directly to his portfolio during this period are not prominently documented in official records.[12] His tenure coincided with UMNO's efforts to consolidate support in Kedah amid opposition gains in the state assembly.Mukhriz's federal parliamentary service concluded after the 2013 general election, during which he opted not to defend Jerlun and instead contested the Ayer Hitam state seat in Kedah, securing victory and paving the way for his appointment as Menteri Besar.[35] Throughout his time in Parliament, he maintained active engagement in UMNO affairs, including state-level liaison roles in Kedah by 2011, focusing on party organization and grassroots mobilization.[36]
First Term as Menteri Besar of Kedah (2013–2016)
Mukhriz Mahathir was sworn in as the 11th Menteri Besar of Kedah on 6 May 2013, a day after Barisan Nasional (BN) reclaimed control of the state legislative assembly by winning 21 out of 36 seats in the general election.[37][38] This victory ended the Pakatan Rakyat's rule under the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), with Mukhriz securing the Ayer Hitam seat against the incumbent.[39]During his tenure, the state government prioritized housing development, announcing plans to construct 40,000 units, including affordable and low-cost homes, as part of fulfilling BN's electoral promises.[40] Efforts were also directed toward economic diversification, transitioning Kedah from its traditional role as Malaysia's rice bowl toward broader industrial and tourism hubs, though specific project outcomes remained limited amid political turbulence.[41]Mukhriz's term ended amid escalating tensions over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, where he publicly criticized Prime Minister Najib Razak for the state investment fund's massive debts and the RM2.6 billion in political donations deposited into Najib's accounts.[5][6] Facing pressure from UMNO leaders in Kedah, Mukhriz resigned on 3 February 2016, stating that Najib had admitted the ousting stemmed from his criticisms rather than loss of assembly support, though he claimed insufficient backing from lawmakers.[5][42][43] Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah was appointed as his successor.[6]Policy Initiatives and Economic Focus
During his first term as Menteri Besar, Mukhriz Mahathir prioritized economic development through foreign direct investment attraction and industrial expansion, particularly in high-tech and logistics sectors to diversify Kedah's agriculture-dependent economy.Mukhriz was initially seen as leading in nominations compared to Khairy but eventually lost in the final vote count.
However, a controversy was sparked when Khairy was allowed to contest for the post even though he was found guilty for being involved with money politics by the UMNO Disciplinary Board,[20] while others who were found guilty for the same offence, such as Mohd Ali Rustam who was supposed to contest for the UMNO Vice President post, were not allowed to contest for their respective posts.
He founded Opcom Holdings Bhd in 1994, a company specializing in fiber optics cables and telecommunications equipment, where he served as a founding executive and major shareholder.[18][19] In the same year, he co-founded Hextar Capital Bhd, an investment holding company, and held the positions of Chairman and Managing Director from 1994 until 2009.[3][20]Mahathir also assumed executive roles in several other firms, including as Managing Director of M Ocean Diving Sdn Bhd, a company involved in underwater services and tourism-related activities.[21] He served as Chairman of TBWA-ISC Malaysia Sdn Bhd, an advertising agency, as well as Airzed Networks Sdn Bhd and Bioven Holdings Sdn Bhd, both focused on technology and biotechnology sectors.[22] Additionally, he held directorships at entities such as Opcom Niaga Sdn Bhd, Ajiya Berhad, Kosmo TechnologyIndustrial Bhd, and Reliance Pacific Bhd, with the latter involvement spanning manufacturing and trading operations.[22]In organizational capacities, Mahathir was active in the Malaysian Franchise Association, contributing to franchise development initiatives in Malaysia.[23] His business engagements often intersected with his family's broader corporate interests, though he maintained independent operational roles in these ventures until regulatory requirements prompted divestments upon his 2009 appointment as Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, including paring his stake in Opcom Holdings.[24][25]
Key Ventures and Positions
Mukhriz Mahathir established Opcom Holdings Bhd in 1994 as a co-founder alongside Chhoa Kwang Hua, focusing on fibre-optic cable manufacturing and telecommunications infrastructure.[18] He held the role of president of the company, which grew into a key player in Malaysia's optics sector, supplying products for national broadband initiatives.[25] By 2018, Opcom had expanded its operations, with Mukhriz retaining significant shareholdings until disposing of them in early 2021, ceasing his substantial shareholder status after selling approximately 24.6 million shares.[26]In parallel, Mukhriz founded Hextar Capital Bhd in November 1994 with Chhoa Kwang Hua, serving as Chairman and Managing Director until 2009.[3] The firm operates primarily as an investment holding company, providing management services across diverse sectors including retail, trading, and healthcare.[20] Under his leadership, Hextar pursued strategic investments, though specific portfolio details from this period remain limited in public records.Mukhriz also chaired Bioven Holdings, a biotechnology venture aimed at developing and commercializing vaccines, including collaborations for Cuban-originated anticancer therapies tested in Malaysia around 2008.[27]The company sought investor funding for clinical trials of products like CIMAvax, targeting lung cancer treatment, while exploring applications in aquaculture such as prawn disease prevention by 2005.[28] These roles underscored his involvement in high-risk, innovation-driven enterprises prior to his formal entry into politics in 2004.Political Career
Entry into UMNO and Pre-Parliamentary Roles (2004–2008)
Mukhriz Mahathir transitioned from business to active involvement in politics in 2004, contesting the chief position of the UMNO Youth wing within the Kubang Pasu division, a traditional UMNO stronghold in Kedah linked to his father's long tenure.[29] He failed to secure the divisional youth chief role but achieved a significant victory at the national level, winning election to the UMNO Youth central executive committee on 26 September 2004 with the highest vote tally of 649 among all candidates, reflecting strong grassroots support.[13][30]In this pre-parliamentary capacity, Mukhriz served on the executive committee, contributing to the youth wing's agenda of mobilizing young Malays, advocating for ethnic Malay interests, and bolstering UMNO's organizational machinery amid internal challenges following the party's 2004 general election gains.[31] His position facilitated networking within UMNO's hierarchy and positioned him as a rising figure aligned with reformist undercurrents, though he navigated factional tensions under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership.After him are Volodymyr Struk, Mika Kanai, Frank Biela, Carmel Busuttil, Thomas Brussig, and Jiang Jialiang.
Others Born in 1964
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Among people born in Malaysia, Mukhriz Mahathir ranks 59 out of 90. On 31 March 2019, Mukhriz was appointed chairman of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), effective from 1 March, to oversee paddy production in the Muda region, which supplies a significant portion of national rice output.[67][68] Under his leadership, initiatives encompassed a RM30 million allocation for glutinous rice production and exploration of Japanese agricultural technologies to boost yields and diversify outputs.[69][70] He also urged farmers to minimize open burning to mitigate haze and environmental degradation.[71]The tenure concluded amid national political turmoil following the February 2020 federal government transition.
This complemented efforts to strengthen Kedah Invest for targeted promotion of science, technology, and innovation sectors. He is currently the Malaysian Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry.