K. S. Nijhar
Parliamentary Secretary of Trade and Industry | |
---|---|
Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat | |
1999–2008 | Barisan Nasional |
Faction represented in Dewan Negara | |
1985–1991 | Barisan Nasional |
Personal details | |
Born | Karnail Singh Nijhar A/L Amar Singh 2 July 1936 University Malaya |
Occupation | Member of Parliament |
Profession | Politician, economist, educationist and entrepreneur |
Karnail Singh Nijhar (
Early life and education
Nijhar was born in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, on 2 July 1936, on a bullock cart somewhere between Kroh and Kelian Intan in Perak.[3][4] His father, Amar Singh, an immigrant from Punjab, came to the Malaya in 1926 as a labourer in Rahman Hydraulic Tin Mine. Growing up, Nijhar had to stay in a kampung house without any basic amenities and had to depend on wells for water and Hindu temples for free meals because of poverty. He never owned a pair of shoes as a kid and was illiterate until the age of nine.[5]
While a student at
Early career
Before he joined politics as a MIC member in 1974, he was a lecturer in economics at the
Politics
Nijhar was the highest-ranking
He was appointed a Senator in 1985, the first time MIC nominated a Punjabi Sikh for the Senate and the second Punjabi Sikh in Malaysia's history to sit in the Senate, after Senator Paramjit Singh, president of People’s Progressive Party (PPP).[2] He was re-appointed again for the second-term Senatorship in 1988. Around this times, he was appointed parliamentary secretary to the ministry of trade and industry during which time he also served as a member of the first National Economic Consultative Council.[5]
In the
Nijhar had resigned as MIC Vice-President following an earlier heated row with party chief Samy Vellu in 2008.[9] His last position held in CWC, was the MIC Discipline Committee after being replaced by the new MIC President G. Palanivel in 2015.[10]
Business
Nijhar left politics at 72. He had run with his son, Rabin a security company, Cisco (M) Sdn Bhd which he acquired in 1979.[5][11]
Personal life
Nijhar had married lecturer Molina Sinha Nijhar.[3][12] The couple has a daughter Premeeta Singh Nijhar and son Rabinder Singh Nijhar.[5]
Death
Nijhar died at the age of 85 at 8.00 pm on 15 June 2021 after having a critical stroke.[5][13] His final rites were performed along with a service held among close family members at his home in Bukit Pantai, followed by cremation at Xiao En Memorial Park in Nilai the next day.[2] Nijhar is survived by his wife, two children and five grandchildren.[5]
Election Results
Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | P107 Subang, Selangor | K.S. Nijhar (MIC) | 36,137 | 55.49% | Irene Fernandez (PKR) | 28,985 | 44.51% | 67,847 | 7,152 | 73.11% | ||
2004 | K.S. Nijhar (MIC) | 32,941 | 65.33% | Mohd Nasir Hashim (PKR)1 | 17,481 | 34.67% | 52,017 | 15,460 | 75.67% |
Note: 1 Mohd Nasir Hashim amid contesting under the PKR ticket in the 2004 election, is a member of PSM.
Honours
Honours of Malaysia
- Malaysia :
- Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1980)[15]
- Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (1997)[15]
- Johor :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' [15]
Bibliography
In June 2016, he released an autobiography narrated to his daughter Premeeta, titled "The Bullock Cart Boy".[2][3]
- The Bullock Cart Boy (2016) ISBN 978-967-415-369-4[4]
See also
- Subang (federal constituency)
- Members of the Dewan Negara, 6th Malaysian Parliament
- Members of the Dewan Negara, 7th Malaysian Parliament
- Members of the Dewan Negara, 8th Malaysian Parliament
References
- ^ "Two Punjabi members in Malaysian Indian Congress". North India Times. 7 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "K.S. Nijhar, one of highest-ranked Punjabi Sikhs in MIC, dies at 85". The Vibes. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Berita Harian. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9789674154721
- ^ a b c d e f g h "KS Nijhar: 'Bullock cart boy' to political, corporate leader". Free Malaysia Today. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "Former MIC leader Nijhar releases 'The Bullock Cart Boy'". Asia Samachar. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "MIC representatives should be rational when dealing with views and opinions from the Opposition on national integration". Lau Weng San. DAP Malaysia. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
- ^ Annie Freeda Cruez (29 May 2008). "Nijhar quits after row with Samy Vellu". New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 July 2019 – via Din Merican’s Wordpress.
- ^ T. Avineshwaran (3 January 2015). "MIC Umum Pelantikan Setiausaha Agung, Pengarah Strategi Yang Baharu". mStar. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Member Directory: Cisco (M) Sdn Bhd", Persatuan Industri Keselamatan Malaysia (PIKM)
- ^ "Retired Graduates from Class of '79 Reunited with Their Retired Lecturers After a Space of Almost 40 Years", akmal ahmat, Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM)-Librarians Association of Malaysia, 11 May 2017, retrieved 20 June 2021
- ^ "Former MIC veep KS Nijhar passes away at 85". The Star. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2018. Results only available from the 2004 election.
- ^ a b c "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia). Retrieved 25 October 2018.