Othman Saat

Othman's political career began with the Malay nationalist movement in the 1940s.^[2] He joined the UMNO party after it was founded in Batu Pahat by Onn Jaafar in 1946. Othman became a committee member of UMNO in 1952.^[2] He enrolled on the day of UMNO's establishment - 11 May 1946.^[2]

In 1955, Othman contested in the 1955 Malayan general election, winning the Jorak state constituency uncontested. He became an executive council member (EXCO) of the Johor State Executive Council in 1958.^[2]

In 1964, Othman was appointed EXCO member in charge of the Local Government and Housing portfolio and initiated low-cost housing schemes for the poor and opened the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and FELCRA Berhad land schemes in Johor during the tenure of prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein in the 1970s.^[2][3]

On 4 April 1967, at the age of 43, Othman was appointed the 11th Chief Minister of Johor. He held this position for three terms until 1982. His fate changed when Dr. Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister with Musa Hitam as his deputy.^[2] Musa Hitam was said to have used all means from UMNO headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to weaken Othman's influence. This is the starting point of the fall of his political career.

Journalist Chamil Wariya, in his book 'Crisis of the Sultan - the Chief Minister, what really happened', describes the crisis between Othman and the Sultan of Johor. The then-Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Musa Hitam, reprimanded Othman for allegedly giving timber and land areas based on political considerations. Othman was ordered to stop the practice. He is seen as the Chief Minister for a long time and should provide access to young people.

Tunku Mahmood Iskandar, who had just been re-appointed as the Crown Prince of Johor, urged Othman to immediately resign for questioning the legitimacy of the crown prince.^[4] Several demonstrations were reportedly planned to be held in several places including Kota Tinggi.^[5] The ailing Sultan Sir Ismail Al Khalidi fell into a coma on 8 May, three days before his death.^[6] The newly installed Sultan Mahmood Iskandar issued a decree for Othman to vacate his office within 24 hours, shortly after Sultan Ismail's death.^[7] But Othman ignored that directive but eventually resigned after the intervention of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

In 1982, Othman resigned as Chief Minister after 16 years of service.^[8]

In 1985, Othman was defeated by Muhyiddin Muhammad Yassin for the post of Pagoh division chief of UMNO. He had served in that position for 14 years.

A few years later, in 1987, he joined the newly formed Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah-helmed political party S46 to challenge UMNO in the 1990 Malaysian general election.^[2] However, the party did not succeed and was later dissolved.

Othman was born in Kampung Tengah (Tengah Village), Muar, Johor to a wealthy rice trader.

Othman has nine children from three marriages, seven children (first wife) one child (second wife) one child (third wife), 32 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His first wife, Rokiah Alwi, died in 1990.^[9] His third marriage with Hasmah Hussein ended in divorce.^[9] Othman's second wife Kamariah Buyung and eldest son Zulkifli Othman and his other children were with him when he died.^[9]

A luxury car enthusiast, Othman's collection at one time included 50 different cars, with brands including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar.^[2] Later, he maintained he only has one Mercedes-Benz S400 with his favourite plate number, JDN 7.^[2]