Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed

In 1970, Mustapa was awarded a Colombo Plan Scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne. Leaving village life to live in the esteemed Queen's College was a significant culture shock that was both challenging and thrilling. Working in factories during the term holidays, he supported himself, sending some of his wages home. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) majoring in Economics, he returned to Malaysia at the end of 1973 and joined the Economics Division of the Ministry of Finance.

In 1982, on a Fulbright Scholarship, he completed a Master in Development Economics from Boston University. Afterwards, he became a lecturer and Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance in Malaysia.

Economic and educational leadership

In 1987, Mustapa ventured into politics himself. Starting as a Political Secretary then a Senator in the Upper House, he served as Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Minister to the Minister of Finance.

Moving to the lower house in 1995, he represented the constituency of Jeli in Kelantan and became the first Minister of Entrepreneurial Development. He implemented new programs that improved franchising, vendor development and microcredit loans across the country. During the East Asian Financial Crisis, he was assigned an additional role as Second Finance Minister to formulate and implement policies for the recovery of the Malaysian economy.

Mustapa has also held a number of other key positions in the Malaysian Cabinet. As the Higher Education Minister, Mustapa was responsible for establishing the Malaysian Qualification Agency, launched the Higher Education Strategic Plan, appointed several of the country’s first female vice-chancellors, and promoted Malaysia as a destination of choice for international students.

In the Agricultural Industry portfolio, he managed food security and modernised agricultural production. His longest period as a minister was in International Trade and Industry. In the signing of seven free trade agreements, he diversified Malaysia’s trade relationships and enhanced its position as an investment destination. He retired in 2022, leaving his last portfolio as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Economy.

Community service, retirement and awards

Mustapa’s work has led to prestigious awards and advisory roles after retirement. In 1997, the Faculty of Business and Economics awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce, recognising his contributions to policy making in Malaysia and enhancing bilateral trade relations between Australia and Malaysia, bringing people from both nations closer.

Today, he is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Headquarters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). and Advisor to the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Sustainable Development Goals, as well as Advisor to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. He is also currently President of the United Nations Association of Malaysia.

This year, the Japanese Government honoured Mustapa with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun for his contributions in strengthening Japan–Malaysia trade and economic relations.

Changing rural Malaysia for good

Never forgetting his home of Kelantan State and the Jeli constituency he represented since 1995, Mustapa had made it his lifelong goal to bridge the economic and social divide between rural and urban areas. Since 1995, he has provided free after-school education programs, from which more than 5000 students have benefitted.

During his term, Jeli has prospered. It now has better infrastructure and amenities in education, healthcare, transport, recreation and sport. There are new educational institutions at all levels, including a campus of the University of Malaysia Kelantan, community colleges, technical schools and high schools.

Mustapa continues to honour his "lifelong commitment to address poverty through sustainable development and environmental stewardship".