24 Facts About Aziz Ishak

Abdul Aziz bin Ishak was a Malaysian freedom fighter, politician and journalist.

Aziz's brother Yusof Ishak was the founder of Utusan Melayu and the first President of Singapore after its separation with Malaysia in 1965.

Aziz Ishak is of Minangkabau descent from his father's side while his mother is a native of Langkat regency in North Sumatra province of Indonesia.

Aziz Ishak's time at Raffles was an important learning experience.

Frustrated with British officialdom and after being unfairly accused of collaborating with the Japanese by his European boss, Aziz left the colonial service to join his brother Yusof Ishak after he founded Utusan Melayu.

Aziz Ishak wrote feature articles on UMNO, on the state and federal administrations and occasionally editorials.

Aziz Ishak was a member of the KMM while he was a fisheries officer in Kuala Kurau.

Geram died a natural death when Aziz Ishak moved to Kuala Lumpur in 1948 as Utusan Melayu correspondent in the central region.

Aziz Ishak was the only journalist who was appointed a member of the Federal Legislative Council and he played an active role in its proceedings.

Aziz Ishak then held important positions within Umno and the Alliance.

In September 1954, Aziz Ishak campaigned actively with Tunku in the Terengganu election which was won by the Alliance despite open support for Parti Negara by the British.

Aziz Ishak was very much involved in drafting the 1955 Alliance manifesto for the general election held that year; the manifesto covered issues such as Malay language, agriculture, economy, education, and finance.

Aziz Ishak faced Parti Negara candidate Mohd Rashid Ahmad, a former schoolmate.

Aziz Ishak himself obtained 8,713 votes, handily defeating his opponent with a 6,438 majority.

Aziz Ishak secured 9,492 votes, defeating Syed Ibrahim Syed Salim of PMIP by 5,193 votes.

Aziz Ishak was appointed Minister of Agriculture and co-operatives, a post he kept until 1963.

Aziz Ishak was unhappy at the Alliance's neglect of the 1955 manifesto due to the exuberant push for political independence.

Aziz Ishak was equally passionate on press freedom that he claimed had been eroded after 1955.

Aziz Ishak resigned from the Cabinet in 1963 after he was transferred to the Health Ministry.

Aziz Ishak eventually went on to form the short lived National Convention Party that joined the left wing Malayan Peoples' Socialist Front together with the Labour Party of Malaya and Partai Ra'ayat to contest the 1964 general elections.

Aziz Ishak attempted to defend his Kuala Langat parliamentary seat under the Socialist Front banner but lost by 3,797 votes to his former party colleague Mohd Tahir Abdul Majid.

Aziz Ishak was accused of being a traitor and collaborating with Indonesian agents to form a government-in-exile, a charge that he denied.

Aziz Ishak was detained between 1965 and 1966 under the law.

Aziz Ishak turned down all subsequent offers of state and federal awards.