Datuk Seri Suleiman Mohamed...a full time politician although retired.
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KUALA LUMPUR: Though he gracefully ceded his political position in the March 8 general elections, he refuses to relinquish his determination to continue to serve the people of his community.
And the community closest to the heart of three-term former MP for Titiwangsa, Datuk Seri Suleiman Mohamed, is Kampung Baru, the crucible of his childhood in the late 1940s.
Today, Suleiman not only speaks openly of his love for the kampung in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, but has taken on the role of spokesperson for the residents of the Malay enclave which is currently at a developmental crossroads.
After a century of relative isolation from the rest of the fast-moving city, Kampung Baru is suddenly finding itself painted into a corner by the sweep of modernity -- and its residents are anxious over the implications of irrepressible change.
But with Suleiman, whose foray into politics has left an indelible imprint gently helping to steer Kampung Baru towards the future, its residents can certainly rest easy at night.
Q: What are your thoughts on Kampung Baru?
A: Kampung Baru, which is the largest Malay settlement in the city, needs to be developed soon if Kuala Lumpur wants to achieve its goal of being a world-class city by 2020. In order for that to happen, the state government must ensure that the acquisition of land in Kampung Baru is done in an orderly manner. There are a number of technicalities here, which the government has to take into consideration before any acquisition can take place, such as the multiple ownership of land.
Q: What is the status of the multiple ownership issue?
A: Well it certainly needs to be resolved soon. This situation usually involves siblings that have inherited a plot of land and are not willing to divide it. So, I belive that it is the government's duty to intervene and ensure that all issues are settled amicably. Only then can development proceed without any glitches.
Q: Tell us about your early childhood.
A: I was born in Johor Baru. My parents moved to Kuala Lumpur fifteen days after I was born. But I consider myself a Kuala Lumpur boy
Q: Tell us about your educational background.
A: I completed my primary school education at Batu Road primary school. I was there from 1955 to 1961 and then I went to study at the Klang high school. After high school, I pursued my studies overseas in Indonesia in 1969. I got my first degree in 1972 (communication science) and my second degree in 1974 journalism.
At the age of 47, when I became Deputy Minister of Information, I took up studying part-time.
I registered myself at University Kebangsaan Malaysia and began research on Kampung Baru. I got my PhD in social science in 1999 and my dissertation was on Kampung Baru: 'The social transformation of Malay urbanisation'.
Q: Were you active in school?
A: Yes, throughout my secondary school years, I was a Scout and played football, sepak takraw and rugby for school. In 1965, I played for Selangor combined schools and we won a few trophies.
Q: Tell us about your career
A: After completing both my degrees I came back to Kuala Lumpur and worked for Utusan Malaysia for four years. After that, I did a brief stint at Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka. Then in 1978, I become for the press secretary for Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. I was working for Datuk Samad Idris until he retired in 1980. Then, I joined the Information Department as a senior press liaison officer.
I resigned in 1982 and went into business as a developer. At that time, I developed a 70-acre plot of land in Cheras, which is now known as Taman Miharja.
Q: How did you get involved in politics?
A: I was involved in politics at a very young age. I become the head of Titiwangsa Umno branch in 1967 before I went to study in Indonesia. In 1986, I contested for the Titiwangsa seat and won. I was the MP there for three terms till 2004. I'm currently the Umno division head for Titiwanga and I have been holding the post from 1986 to 2008, uncontested.
Q: Did you face any hurdles in politics?
A: Problems will always rise in politics -- nothing is easy. As the Umno division head for Titiwanga, I went through a lot of difficulties.
There are scars all over my body and that is the testament to battles I had to go through in politics. That is why I always say, "Everything might seem difficult, but they are never impossible to achieve". I have made it and I'm proud.
I'm retired now, but still in politics. It has been 30 long years.
Q: What is your single most memorable achievement as Ttitwangsa MP?
A: Nothing I can think of, really. If I had achieved developing Kampung Baru, that would have been my single biggest achievement. I was chairman of the redevelopment of Kampung Baru from 1990 to 1993. But I'm not shy to say that I have failed.
Q: Apart from politics, are you currently doing anything else?
A: No, I'm not doing anything else. I'm still a full-time politician. I have tried to do business, but have failed.
Q: What does your family think about you being in politics?
A: They have been supportive and had become accustomed to me not being around that often. But now, they are happy that I have retired and I'm always with them.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I like to read autobiographies, books on current affairs and books on various cultures. My favourite author is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and I enjoy reading his books.
Q: What is favourite restaurant?
A: Datuk Keramat has the best mamak noodles and I have my nasi lemak at Kampung Pandan. Kampung Baru also has decent nasi kandar and you can find the best mee rebus at Jalan Kemunting behind Sheraton Imperial hotel.
Q: Do you travel?
A: I usually travel with my family to Sabah, Sarawak and Langkawi island. I enjoy going to places where I can enjoy the wonders and the beauty of our country's natural rain forest
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