Abdul Rahman Abbas

Abdul Rahman Abbas
Born	(1938-04-15) April 15, 1938 Malaysia
Occupation(s)	Statesman, Educator
Years active	1975–2021
Known for	7th Governor of Penang (2001–2021)

Abdul Rahman bin Abbas (born 15 April 1938) is a Malaysian statesman and former educator who held the position of the 7th Governor of Penang from 1 May 2001 until 30 April 2021. Affiliated with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), he was initially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in May 2001 and subsequently reappointed six times—in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017—accumulating a two-decade-long term. This duration marks him as the longest-serving governor in Malaysia's history.

Early life, education and early career

Tun Abdul Rahman received his early education at Permatang Sintok Malay School in Kepala Batas and pursued further studies at Sultan Idris Teachers College located in Tanjong Malim. He also completed a teaching program at the Language Institute in Kuala Lumpur. In 1973, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Malaya before embarking on his professional journey as an educator.

Political career

Following his teaching tenure, Abdul Rahman became active in UMNO, holding roles such as an Exco member within the party’s UMNO Youth division from 1975 to 1979 and serving as Treasurer for the Kepala Batas Division from 1995 up until his appointment as governor.

In a 1977 by-election triggered by the passing of Ahmad Badawi Abdullah—father to former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi—he was elected to the Penang State Assembly. Over four terms, he contributed to the state executive council under Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu, and eventually assumed the role of Speaker of the State Assembly.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang (2001–2021)

His appointment as Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang came in May 2001 by the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, with an initial four-year term. This mandate was extended repeatedly by subsequent monarchs up through 2017, demonstrating ongoing trust in his governance.

Titles

He carries the distinguished title "Tun Dato' Seri Utama", which combines Malaysia’s highest federal honor "Tun" (SMN) with Penang’s premier accolade "Dato' Seri Utama" (DUPN). Comparable title combinations exist in other regions, such as Tun Datuk Seri Panglima in Sabah.

Honours of Penang

• Serving as the 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang since 1 May 2001:
  • Order of the Defender of State:
    • Member (DJN)
    • Companion (DMPN) – Dato'
    • Knight Grand Commander (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama
    • Grand Master

Honours of Malaysia

• • Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (2001)
• • Grand Knight of the Order of the Territorial Crown (SUMW) – Datuk Seri Utama (2021)
• • Member of the Supreme Order of Sri Mahawangsa (DMK) – Dato' Seri Utama (2007)
• • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima
• • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi

Honours and Titles of Majimor binti Shariff

Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Dato' Seri Utama Hajah Majimor binti Shariff is entitled to the honorific "Toh Puan Dato' Seri Utama," which merges the feminine honorific "Toh Puan" with her spouse’s highest Federal Malaysian distinction "Tun" (SMN) and her top-ranking Penang accolade "Dato' Seri Utama" (DUPN).

Penang Honours

• In her capacity as the spouse of the 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang (from 1 May 2001 onward)
  • Awarded the Knight Grand Commander rank of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN), conferring the title Dato’ Seri Utama