Sardon Haji Jubir
Encyclopedia
Tun
Sardon bin Haji Jubir (March 19, 1917 – December 14, 1985) was a Malaysian politician. He served as Minister of Health, Minister of Works and Communications and was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri
(Governor) of Penang from 1975 to 1981.
, Johor
on March 19, 1917. His father, Haji Jubir bin Haji Mohd Amin was a plantation owner and a kathi
in Singapore
.
Sardon was educated at Victoria Bridge School
and Raffles Institution
in Singapore
. At Raffles, he formed a Malay literary association with friends including Aziz Ishak
, Hamid Jumaat, and Ahmad Ibrahim
and contributed articles on the Malays
and their plight to Warta Malaya, a leading Malay newspaper in Singapore
. This was done through Aziz's brother, Yusof Ishak who was already working as a journalist. Yusof later became the first President of Singapore
.
After passing his Senior Cambridge examination, Tun Sardon pursued a career in Law in London
and qualified as a Barrister from Lincoln’s Inner Temple
. He returned to Singapore
in 1941 and had his practice in Singapore and later in Johor Bharu.
– a post then normally associated with retired politicians. In 1975, he was appointed as Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.
near Masjid Negara
, Kuala Lumpur
.
Malay titles
The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
Sardon bin Haji Jubir (March 19, 1917 – December 14, 1985) was a Malaysian politician. He served as Minister of Health, Minister of Works and Communications and was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the official title of the ceremonial heads of state of the Malaysian states without hereditary rulers, namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak...
(Governor) of Penang from 1975 to 1981.
Early life
Sardon was born in RengitRengit
Rengit is a town in the Batu Pahat District of Johor, Malaysia. It is the border town between Batu Pahat and Pontian district. Approximately 37km away from Bandar Penggaram,Batu Pahat, capital of Batu Pahat district and 38km away from Pontian Kechil....
, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
on March 19, 1917. His father, Haji Jubir bin Haji Mohd Amin was a plantation owner and a kathi
Kathi
The word Kathi* is used sometimes as short form of Kathleen* is used to denote Kathi People - natives of Kathiawar - a region of India.* was a small princely state part of the Mewas States in former district of Khandesh....
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Sardon was educated at Victoria Bridge School
Victoria School
Victoria School in Singapore is a government secondary school for boys, founded in 1876, at Siglap Link, about one kilometre from affiliated Victoria Junior College....
and Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution , founded in 1823, is the oldest centre for pre-tertiary learning in Singapore. It is an independent school in Singapore providing secondary and pre-university education. RI consists of a boys-only secondary section , and a coeducational pre-university section...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. At Raffles, he formed a Malay literary association with friends including Aziz Ishak
Aziz Ishak
Abdul Aziz bin Ishak is a Malaysian freedom fighter, politician and journalist.Aziz was, in fact, the only member of the pre-war Kesatuan Melayu Muda to have served in the 1955 and post-Merdeka Cabinets under Tunku Abdul Rahman. Between 1955 and 1963, he was the Minister for Agriculture and...
, Hamid Jumaat, and Ahmad Ibrahim
Ahmad Ibrahim
Ahmad Ibrahim may refer to:* Ahmad Ibrahim , Singaporean politician* Professor Ahmad Mohamad Ibrahim, Singaporean State Advocate-General from 1959 to 1965, Attorney-General of Singapore from 1965 to 1967...
and contributed articles on the Malays
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
and their plight to Warta Malaya, a leading Malay newspaper in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. This was done through Aziz's brother, Yusof Ishak who was already working as a journalist. Yusof later became the first President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
.
After passing his Senior Cambridge examination, Tun Sardon pursued a career in Law in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and qualified as a Barrister from Lincoln’s Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
. He returned to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 1941 and had his practice in Singapore and later in Johor Bharu.
Political career
Tun Sardon held the post of Minister of Health until 1972. He retired from politics in 1974 and was made Ambassador to the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
– a post then normally associated with retired politicians. In 1975, he was appointed as Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.
Family
Sardon married Toh Puan Hajjah Saadiah in 1944. They had three sons and two adopted daughters.Death
Sardon died on December 14, 1985 and was buried at Makam PahlawanMakam Pahlawan
The Makam Pahlawan is the burial ground of several Malaysian leaders and politicians. It is located near the Malaysian national mosque, Masjid Negara in the national capital, Kuala Lumpur...
near Masjid Negara
Masjid Negara
The National Mosque of Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among of beautiful gardens. The original structure was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department - UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.