16 Facts About Khir Johari

Mohamed Khir bin Johari was a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Education.

Khir Johari was involved in the Malaysian political scene from its inception and served in the Cabinet of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak.

Khir Johari died of heart failure at 83 on 19 November 2006.

Khir Johari was accorded a state funeral and was buried in Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Mohamed Khir Johari was born on 29 January 1923, in Alor Setar, Kedah.

Khir Johari received formal education in the Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Kedah.

Khir Johari held on to this post until 1960, when he was transferred to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

In 1964, Khir Johari was made Minister of Agriculture, replacing Abdul Aziz Ishak, who had been relieved of his position and later detained under the Internal Security Act.

In 1966, Khir Johari returned to helm the Ministry of Education until 1969.

In February 1973, Khir Johari was appointed the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States of America, and later concurrently the Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

In 1978, Khir Johari contested his last general election, and retired from active politics at the end of the term in 1982.

Khir Johari was the Charter President of Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur and was later awarded the title of 'Bapa Kiwanis'.

Khir Johari was the founding chairman of the Malaysian Toray Science Foundation, as well as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation.

Khir Johari took an active interest in sports, serving as deputy president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia from 1982 to 2002.

Khir Johari was famously the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia from 1961 to 1985, during which the Malaysian team managed to win the prestigious Thomas Cup in 1967.

Khir Johari was the founding president of the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia, president of the Malaysian Body Building Federation and president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia.