Tuan Yang Terutama
&
toh puan

TYT Haji Ramli's Journey

His Excellency Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Ramli bin Ngah Talib was born on 16 March 1941 and raised in Pasir Salak, Perak. His birthplace holds deep historical significance as it was the site where his ancestors, Tok Anjang Pelita and Dato’ Sagor, fought alongside Dato’ Maharaja Lela and other Malay warriors against British colonialism following the assassination of J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident in Perak.

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Tun Ramli is married to Yang Mulia Toh Puan Raja Dato’ Datin Seri Noora Ashikin binti Raja Abdullah, and they are blessed with four children.

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Education and Early Involvement

His Excellency received his early education at Sekolah Melayu Pasir Salak, Saint Anthony’s School and Anglo-Chinese School in Teluk Intan, Perak. He later continued his secondary education at the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and pursued higher education at Queen’s University, United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

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He furthered his legal studies at Lincoln’s Inn, London, and was called to the Bar as a Barrister-at-Law. During his student years, he was actively involved in student movements, serving as Treasurer of the Malay Students' Union in Belfast and Secretary/Editor of the Malay Union Magazine in London.

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Professional and Political Career

Upon returning to Malaysia in 1970, Tun Ramli began his career as a law lecturer at Institut Teknologi Mara (now UiTM) and part-time lecturer at the University of Malaya. In 1971, he became the first in-house Legal Adviser at Lembaga Letrik Negara (LLN). He later co-founded the legal firm Kadir, Tan & Ramli in 1977.

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His political journey began in 1978 when he was elected as the State Assemblyman for Kampung Gajah. He went on to serve as a Member of the Perak State Executive Council and was later appointed the 8th Menteri Besar of Perak from 1982 to 1999. At the end of 1999, he was elected as Member of Parliament for Pasir Salak and chaired the Public Accounts Committee. In 2004, he was appointed Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, a position he held until 2008.

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Contributions and Legacy

His Excellency Tun authored several publications, including:

• Pasir Salak: Sehamparan Sejarah Perjuangan

• Meniti Zaman

• Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Daripada Seorang Budak Kampung Sehingga Menjadi Peneraju Parlimen

• Bangsa Melayu: Penjejak Benua dan Perintis Dunia Maritim

• Semarak: Koleksi Ucapan, Idea dan Harapan Menteri Besar Perak
   

He contributed significantly to the development of Perak through the establishment of institutions and infrastructure such as:

• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak campus

• Proton City in Tanjung Malim

• Lumut Port

• Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)

• Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)

• Meru Raya Township

• Rural and industrial centres
   

His effective poverty eradication initiatives led to Perak achieving zero hardcore poverty by 1996.
 

Interests and Personal Pursuits

Tun Ramli is known for his passion for sports such as badminton, football, polo, and mountaineering. He is also a licensed pilot and once led the Perak Aero Club. He has participated in expeditions including Mount Tahan and several international climbs in Norway, Bhutan, Oman, and Indonesia.
 

Awards and Honours

In recognition of his service, His Excellency has received numerous awards, including:

• Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (S.M.N.) – 2025 (conferring the title Tun)

• Seri Paduka Sultan Azlan Shah Perak (S.P.S.A.) – 2000 (Dato’ Seri Diraja)

• Panglima Setia Mahkota (P.S.M.) – 1989 (Tan Sri)

• Jaksa Pendamai (J.P.) – 1986

• Seri Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (S.P.C.M.) – 1984 (Dato’ Seri)

• Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (P.C.M.) – 1982

• Ahli Mangku Negara (A.M.N.) – 1980

• Dato’ Seri Maharaja Lela Mangkubumi, Aceh, Indonesia

• Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), University of Sheffield

• Pro-Chancellor, University of Malaya (2014–present)