Gaining confidence
Datuk Seri Dr Edmund Santhara Deputy Federal Territories Minister Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), 1992
DEPUTY Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Edmund Santhara had his first taste of politics when he campaigned to be voted student representative in UKM.
“I ran as an independent candidate for the post of student representative for Kamsis E. The campaign boosted my confidence and I gained the confidence to speak Bahasa Melayu.
“I lost but I was appointed senator anyway, and I learnt leadership qualities and what it was like to be part of a team,” recalled the Segamat MP.
Studying in UKM was quite an experience, he said, and those formative years laid the foundation for his ventures in business and politics. It was also at UKM that he met his wife.
“I was from Johor Bahru and I stayed at Kamsis E (Ibrahim Yaakub) and Kamsis Dato Onn 2.
“I was part of the UKM debate team and was champion in 1991 and runner-up in 1992. I was also active in chess tournaments on campus,” said Santhara, a second upper honours student who worked to finish his four year course in three and a half years.
“When I feel things are wrong, I dare to say no, and make my own decisions,” said Santhara, who was thrust into the limelight when he toppled former MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam in Segamat, in the 2018 General Elections. He was also formerly the CEO of Masterskill education group.
He said his lecturers - Prof Dr. Nik Rahimah Yaakub and Prof Proom Proomwichit - played an important role in moulding him to become what he is today. -