Abu Zahar Ithnin

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Ithnin is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Abu Zahar. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Abu Zahar bin Ithnin (14 September 1937–12 July 2013) was a Malaysian politician and the Chief Minister of Malacca from May 1997 to December 1999. He had also been Malacca State Legislative Assembly Speaker.^[1] His daughter, Dira Abu Zahar is also a politician and former actress.

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Ithnin DGSM DMSM AMN
Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs
In office December 1999 – March 2004
Succeeded by	Abu Seman Yusop as Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Security
8th Chief Minister of Malacca
In office 23 May 1997 – 2 December 1999
Preceded by	Mohd Zin Abdul Ghani
Succeeded by	Mohd Ali Rustam
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Jasin
In office 20 December 1999 – 4 March 2004
Preceded by	Abdul Ghafar Baba
Succeeded by	Mohammad Said Yusof
Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly for Merlimau
In office 1995–1999
Preceded by	new constituency
Succeeded by	Nazari Adzim
Speaker of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly
In office 4 August 1986 – 19 October 1994
Preceded by	Abdul Razak Alias
Succeeded by	Jaafar Lajis
Member of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly for Sungai Rambai
In office 1986–1995
Preceded by	Ahmad Ithnin
Succeeded by	Abdul Azis Abdul Ghani
Personal details
Born	(1937-09-14)14 September 1937 Kampung Merlimau Pasir, Merlimau, Melaka
Died	12 July 2013(2013-07-12) (aged 75) Kampung Merlimau Pasir, Merlimau Melaka
Political party	United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Other political affiliations	Barisan Nasional (BN)
Spouse	Khalijah binti Haji Mohd Jiddi
Children	Zalina Roslaini Marina Zuraini Khaidiriah Mohd Aidi Iskandar
Residence	Seri Bendahara
Alma mater	Sekolah Tinggi Melaka, Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Kota Bharu
Occupation	Politician

Death

Ithnin died of complications of a kidney disease on 12 July 2013 at the age of 74.^[2] He was buried at the Malacca Heroes Mausoleum near Al Azim Mosque, Malacca Town.

Election results

Malacca State Legislative Assembly^[3][4]

Year	Constituency	Candidate		Votes	Pct	Opponent(s)		Votes	Pct	Ballots cast	Majority	Turnout
1986	N20 Sungai Rambai		Abu Zahar Ithnin (UMNO)	4,168	70.68%		Rahimin Bani (PAS)	1,729	29.32%	6,204	2,439	70.73%
1990			Abu Zahar Ithnin (UMNO)	5,022	70.95%		Abu Samah Ahmad (S46)	2,056	29.05%	7,376	2,966	79.13%
1995	N23 Merlimau		Abu Zahar Ithnin (UMNO)

Parliament of Malaysia^[3]

Year	Constituency	Candidate		Votes	Pct	Opponent(s)		Votes	Pct	Ballots cast	Majority	Turnout
1999	P124 Jasin		Abu Zahar Ithnin (UMNO)	23,638	64.61%		Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS)	12,947	35.39%	37,467	10,691	77.78%

Honours

• Malaysia
  • Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1980)
• Malacca
  • Companion Class I of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DMSM) – Datuk (1987)^[5]
  • Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (1995)^[5]