Mukhriz Mahathir

Who is Mukhriz Mahathir?

Dato' Paduka Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir is a Malaysian politician who has been Menteri Besar of the State of Kedah since 2013. Previously he served in the government of Malaysia as Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry from 2009 to 2013. He is a son of Mahathir Mohamad, who was Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003.

Mukhriz has held various posts in several business firms, which include Opcom Holdings, Kosmo Tech as well as the Malaysian Franchise Association. He is also the executive director of Perdana Peace Global Organisation.

Mukhriz was noted for his continuous efforts in speaking for his father in the events of the rift between Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his father. In 2006, Mukhriz won the election of UMNO's Kubang Pasu division, coming in fifth. Mukhriz defended his father, who had lost in the same election he took part, by saying that there is a plan to topple him. Mukhriz drew flak from sections of UMNO after he commented on Prime Minister Abdullah's speech that he was a "little bit" disappointed and that it offered nothing new. He later apologised for his remarks.

Mukhriz is married to Datin Paduka Norzieta Zakaria, and has four children. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Malaysian cancer vaccine company, Bioven.