Mohd Khalil Yaakob

Tun Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Mohd Khalil bin Yaakob (born 1937) is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of the Malaysian state of Melaka. Khalil is a United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) politician from Pahang, and served as the state's Menteri Besar for more than 10 years. He was appointed as Governor in 2004 by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Early life

Born in Kuantan, Khalil attended Malay College Kuala Kangsar and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Malaya. He was a career diplomat and served in Italy, Morocco, Singapore and Indonesia.

Political career

Khalil is a member of UMNO and served on its supreme council from 1984. He became party secretary-general in 1999 until his appointment as governor.

His was first elected to the Bukit Ibam state seat in the Pahang State Assembly during the 1978 general elections. In 1982, he won the Maran parliamentary seat and was appointed Deputy Minister of Education. He joined the Cabinet in 1984, serving as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Khalil won the Bukit Tajau state seat in the 1986 general elections, and became Menteri Besar of Pahang. He served for three terms, until 1999. In the 1999 general elections, he rejoined federal politics and was elected as Member of Parliament for Kuantan. He was appointed Minister of Information but did not contest the next election, held in 2004.

In April 2001, a police report was lodged by Pahang state assemblyman Fauzi Abdul Rahman alleging that Mohd Khalil misappropriated state resources as Pahang Menteri Besar.

Governor

On 4 June 2004, Khalil was appointed Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

During his term as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor), Khalid's main goal was to make Malacca a progress state in the year 2010 and then "Green Technology City State" in the year 2013. He was also made Malacca City as the UNESCO's World Heritage Site on 7 July 2008.

Among state major projects under his reign included, Pulau Melaka, Malacca Straits Mosque, Hang Tuah Mall in Jalan Hang Tuah, Dataran Pahlawan Megamall, Menara Taming Sari, Hang Tuah Village in Duyong, Hang Tuah Jaya, Planetarium Melaka, Melaka Sentral, Melaka Monorail, UTC Melaka, upgrading the Malacca Airport in Batu Berendam into international airport, Melaka Gateway and Malacca coastal reclaimation land project.

Interests

Mohd Khalil is fan of Indian actor M. G. Ramachandran and Tamil cinema in general. In August 2011, he re-enacted MGR's role in the film Vettaikaaran in a 45-minute performance at the State Culture and Art Auditorium.

Legacy

• The Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob Mosque at Tanjung Minyak is named after him.

Honours and titles of Mohd Khalil Yaakob

He has been awarded :

Titles

He holds currently the title of "Tun Datuk Seri Utama" by combination of his highest Federal Malaysian title "Tun" (SMN) and his highest Malaccan title "Datuk Seri Utama" (DUNM)
In other states of Malaysia, a similar combination between his highest Federal Malaysian title "Tun" (SMN) and his local highest title may be used. Example : Tun Datuk Seri Panglima in Sabah.

Honours of Malacca

• As 6th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca since 4 June 2004 :
  • Grand Master and Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) with title Datuk Seri Utama
  • Grand Master of the Exalted Order of Malacca

Honours of Malaysia

•  Malaysia :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN, 2004) with title Tun
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) with title Tan Sri
  • Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (JSM)
•  Kelantan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan or "Star of Ismail" (SJMK) with title Dato'
•  Pahang :
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) with title Dato' Sri
  • Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) with title Dato' Sri
  • Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) with title Dato'
  • Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SMP)
•  Terengganu :
  • Supreme class of the Order of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu (SUMZ)
•  Sabah :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) with title Datuk Seri Panglima
•  Sarawak :
  • Knight Grand Commander (Datuk Patinggi) of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP, ) with title Datuk Patinggi

Foreign honours

•  Germany : Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

He was also awarded the Honorary Doctorate (PhD) in Leadership from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) on 29 September 2016.

Honours and titles of Zurina

His wife, Y.A.Bhg. Toh Puan Datuk Seri Utama Hajah Zurina Binti Kassim has been awarded :

Titles

She holds currently the title of "Toh Puan Datuk Seri Utama" by combination of Toh Puan, feminine form in respect of the highest Federal Malaysian title of her husband : "Tun" (SMN) and her highest Malaccan title "Datuk Seri Utama" (DUNM)

Honours of Malacca

• As wife of the 6th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca :
  • Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) with title Datuk Seri Utama
•  Pahang :
  • Grand Knight (or Datuk Sri) of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) with title Datuk Sri

• List of consorts of Malay rulers (as of February 2013) with details of orders