Mohamed AZMIN Ali, Deputy President of the People’s Justice Party, was born on August 25, 1964 in Singapore. He received his early education in Gurney Road School (2), Kuala Lumpur from 1971 to 1976. Later, he studied in High School Setapak, Kuala Lumpur (1977 – 1979) and Technical Institute, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (1980 – 1981). In 1982, he left for the United States to pursue his tertiary education at the University of Minnesota. He graduated in May 1986 from The College of Science and Engineering with Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics. In May 1987, he obtained Master of Education in Mathematics and also Economics from The College of Education and Human Services Professions.
Upon returning to Malaysia, at the age of 23, Azmin was appointed as a Special Officer to Anwar Ibrahim (October 1, 1987 – April 3, 1989) who was then the Minister of Education. Later, on April 4, 1989, he was promoted to Private Secretary to the Minister of Education until March 14, 1991. He remained as Anwar’s Private Secretary in the later capacity as Minister of Finance (March 15, 1991 – February 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister (December 1, 1993 – September 2, 1998).
In April 1997, Azmin successfully pursued a two-month Executive Training Programme on Political Administration at the St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University.
Azmin’s foray into politics was provoked by the political convulsion following the sacking and incarceration of Anwar on trumped up charges. He is a founding member of the National Justice Party later renamed People’s Justice Party. In the 10th General Elections (November 29, 1999), Azmin was elected as a Member of Selangor Legislative Assembly in an urban and middle class constituency of Hulu Kelang, neighbouring the Federal Capital of Kuala Lumpur. However, the ruling party barred him from participating in the 2004 General Elections.
Azmin is appealing against the conviction. The High Court will deliver the judgment on November 1, 2007.
On November 9, 2001, Azmin was elected as a Vice President of National Justice Party and was re-elected in December 2004 and again in May 2007.
Azmin is currently active in private business and politics. He is devoted to forging a new generation of political activists committed to multicultural and an inclusive democracy.
He is married to Shamshida Taharin, a finance graduate from University of Minnesota. The couple has six children ; Farah Shazliyana (March 16, 1990), Mohamed Ameer Shazrin (January 25, 1992), Farah Amira (September 9, 1993), Farah Afifah (August 10, 1995), Mohamed Basheer Noor Alhaq (September 21, 2000) and Mohamed Yusuf Al Sadiq (October 8, 2002).