Born on 5 August 1961 in Kuala Lumpur, Hishammuddin Hussein is a Malaysian lawyer and politician with a career spanning over three decades in the Dewan Rakyat. The son of third Prime Minister Hussein Onn and grandson of UMNO founder Onn Jaafar, he navigated high-level government appointments through the Barisan Nasional coalition and subsequent administrative shifts.
Early Life and Legal Career
Educated at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, St. John's Institution, and Alice Smith School, Hishammuddin later attended Cheltenham College. He earned a Bachelor of Laws from Aberystwyth University in 1984, followed by a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics in 1988. After returning to Malaysia, he practiced as a partner at Skrine & Co. In 1993, he co-founded Lee Hishammuddin, which later became Lee Hishammuddin Allen and Gledhill.
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Hishammuddin joined the United Malays National Organisation upon his return from his studies. He secured a seat in the Dewan Rakyat in 1995 representing Tenggara. His influence grew significantly as he rose within the party's youth wing, becoming national chief in 1998. By 1999, he attained his first full ministerial role as Minister of Youth and Sports.
Ministerial Tenures
Throughout his career, Hishammuddin has held numerous cabinet positions. Following his role in Youth and Sports, he served as Minister of Higher Education between 2004 and 2009. He transitioned to Minister of Home Affairs in 2009. During the 2013 to 2018 term, he served as Minister of Defence and held the transport portfolio on an acting basis. Following the 2020 political crisis, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senior Minister of Malaysia, and again as Minister of Defence from 2021 until 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 August 1961, Kuala Lumpur
- Education: Aberystwyth University, LSE, Cheltenham College
- Political party: UMNO
- First elected to parliament: 1995
- Minister of Defence: 2013-2018, 2021-2022
- Religion: Islam
- Language: Malay
Questions readers ask
What is Hishammuddin Hussein's professional background?
He is a trained lawyer who worked at the firm Skrine & Co and later co-founded the firm Lee Hishammuddin.
Which parliamentary seats has he represented?
He served as the Member of Parliament for Tenggara from 1995 to 2004 and has represented Sembrong since 2004.
