Mohamed Rahmat
Introduction '''Mohamed bin Rahmat''' (4 January 1938 – 1 January 2010) was a Malaysian politician, and former Information Minister of Malaysia (1978–1982, 1987–1999). He was famously known as '''Tok Mat''', '''Mat Setia''' and '''Mat Mr Propaganda'''.
Personal life Mohamed Rahmat was born on 4 January 1938 in the village of Pulai, Johor Bahru, Johor.
Political career Mohamed Rahmat first elected as Member of Parliament of Johore Bahru Barat seat in 1969.He was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education in Tun Razak first cabinet. He was the Member of Parliament for Pulai from 1969 to 1999 representing UMNO-Barisan Nasional. He was also appointed for a short time as the ambassador to Indonesia with a ministerial rank from 1982 to 1984.Rahmat was appointed as the Secretary-General of both the party of United Malays National Organisation from 1988 to 1996 and the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional from 1988 to 1999.
Career as Minister of Information Rahmat has served as the Minister of Information two times during the administration of two different Prime Ministers: under Tun Hussein Onn from 1978 to 1982 and Mahathir Mohamad from 1987 to 1999.As the Minister of Information, Mohamed introduced the "Setia Bersama Rakyat" (Semarak) programme which was aimed at instilling patriotism among the people.One notorious account from his post in office was when he ordered rock singers to trim their long hair if they wanted to participate in programmes aired by public broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia in 1992.Among those who followed the directive were the rock groups Wings, with lead singer Awie; and Search, with lead singer Amy.
Death Mohamed Rahmat died on 1 January 2010 in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 71, just three days before his 72nd birthday. His body was laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur.
Legacy Several places and honours were named after him, including:*Kompleks Tan Sri Mohammad Rahmat in Tampoi, Johor Bahru, Johor.
Election results + '''Parliament of Malaysia'''YearConstituencyCandidateVotesPctOpponent(s)VotesPctBallots castMajorityTurnout1969'''P101 Johore Bahru Barat, Johore''''''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''12,319''''''65.28%'''Daing Ibrahim Othman (DAP)6,55334.72%19,7895,76693.51%1974'''P113 Pulai, Johor''''''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''18,835''''''75.79%'''A. Razak Ahmad (PSRM) 6,01524.21%26,34612,82081.73%1978'''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''29,717''''''88.05%'''Abdul Hamid Abdul Rahim (PAS) 4,03411.95%Unknown25,683Unknown1982'''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''33,861''''''77.02%'''Abdullah Abdul Hamid (DAP)10,105 22.98%46,412	23,75675.71%1986'''P131 Pulai, Johor''''''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''21,743''''''64.33%'''Gurdial Singh Nijan Sadu Singh (PSRM)12,056	35.67%34,9049,68770.75%1990'''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''29,855''''''62.93%'''A. Razak Ahmad (PRM)17,583	37.07%49,14012,27276.08%1995'''P142 Pulai, Johor''''''Mohamed Rahmat''' ('''UMNO''')'''36,871''''''83.16%'''Omar Sharif (S46)7,468	16.84%45,94629,40367.16%
Honours ===Honours of Malaysia===*  :** 50px Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) (1972)** 50px Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – '''Tan Sri''' (2000)*  :** 50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (DPMJ) – '''Dato'''' (1973)** 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – '''Dato'''' (1975)** 50px Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty of Sultan Ismail of Johor (SSIJ) – '''Dato'''' (1977)** Sultan Ibrahim Medal Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS)** Star of Sultan Ismail Star of Sultan Ismail (BSI)*  :** 50px Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly '''''Dato'''''', now '''Dato' Indera''' (1987)*  :** 50px Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – '''Datuk Seri Panglima''' (1995)*  :** 50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – '''Dato'''' (1988)** 50px Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSSA) – '''Dato' Seri''' (1990)*  :** 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Terengganu (SPMT) – '''Dato'''' (1996)*  :** 50px Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – '''Datuk Seri''' (1997)*  :** 50px Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – formerly '''Dato'''', now '''Dato Sri''' (1981)
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