Muhammad Ammir Haron
Muhammad Ammir Haron
Undersecretary at Ministry of Defence
Muhammad Ammir Haron
Muhammad Ammir Haron
Undersecretary at Ministry of Defence
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9 To 5 Run 2015
Jelajah Pendidikan Bumiputera
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Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya (KOPROJAYA)
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About Me

Salam and Hello! I’m Muhammad Ammir Haron. Senior Under Secretary of Management at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Malaysia.


My portfolio encompasses six key divisions, from optimising financial and human resources, driving digital transformation, and overseeing the effective delivery of development projects.

  • Years of public service: 22 years
  • Residence: Putrajaya
  • Interest: Climate Change, Defence, International Relations, Finance, Economics, Leadership, Co-operatives
  • Email Address: ammir_email@yahoo.com
Quotes
Knowledge without action is wastefulness and action without knowledge is foolishness.
Al-Ghazali
Al-Ghazali
The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience
Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert
Dune

About Me

Muhammad Ammir Haron is the Undersecretary of Policy and Strategic Planning Division at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia.

With over 21 years of experience in government, he began his career as a trainee auditor at KPMG Malaysia before being appointed as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer (PTD) at the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development in 2004. In 2008, he joined the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office as an Economics Special Officer, later moving to the Prime Minister’s Office (2009–2018), where he held various positions, culminating in his role as Director of Policy and Research.

In his tenure at the Ministry of Federal Territories, he served as Undersecretary of the Development Division, overseeing key national projects, including the multi-billion Ringgit River of Life initiative. He subsequently joined INTAN in November 2019, focusing on public sector training and research. In 2023, he took up the role as Undersecretary of the Agro-based Food Industry Division at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), spearheading growth of the agro-based downstream industry, agrotourism and youth agropreneurs.

Beyond his civil service career, Mr. Ammir brings extensive board leadership experience across multiple sectors. He has served on the boards of PR1MA (national affordable housing), FINAS (National Film Development Corporation), MARA Corp (entrepreneurship and education investment), Bank Rakyat Foundation (education and welfare), and most recently, the Malaysian Cocoa Board.

He has also been actively involved in the cooperative and youth sectors. As the Founding Chairman of the Putrajaya Professionals Cooperative (KOPROJAYA), he led an organization of over 2,000 young government professionals. Additionally, he served two terms as Treasurer General of Gerakan Belia 4B (GB4B) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Mr Ammir holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the National University of Malaysia (UKM), a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management from INTAN. He has been pursuing a part-time DBA at UNITAR since 2022, with a research focus on leadership. 

PTD Career

Feb ‘04 to Apr ‘05

Assistant Secretary

Planning & Evaluation Division

Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development

Assist in research, strategic planning and entrepreneur program evaluation.

Apr ‘05 to Dec ‘06

Assistant Secretary

Development Program & Project Division

Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development

Assist development project management, monitoring and intervention.

Dec ‘06 to May ‘08

Senior Assistant Director

National Entrepreneurship Institute

Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development

Lead research and publication of entrepreneurship knowledge and training.

June ‘08 to Apr ‘09

Special Officer to the Rt. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister’s Office

Speech writing and assisting policy meetings. Managing development projects and issues in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Parliamentary constituency.

Apr ‘09 to Apr ‘10

Special Officer to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister

Prime Minister’s Office

Speech writing and assisting policy meetings. Managing development projects and issues in the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary constituency.

Apr ‘10 to May ‘16

Senior Private Secretary to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister

Prime Minister’s Office

Led logistics and customer service team. Manage strategic and daily scheduling. Prepare policy speeches.

Jun ‘16 to May ‘18

Director of Policy and Research

Prime Minister’s Office

Led preparation of high-level policy meetings. Monitor policy implementation or intervention. Feed key input for speech writing.

May ‘18 to Dec ‘18

Public Service Department

Dec ‘18 to Dec ‘19

Undersecretary

Development Management Division

Ministry of Federal Territories

Led multi-billion project management and monitoring in Federal Territories, including the renowned River of Life (ROL).

Dec ‘19 to June '22

Senior Research Fellow

INTAN Bukit Kiara

Undertake research on government policies. Publish books and articles in newspapers. Train awesome future PTD officers.

Nov '23 to Apr '25

Undersecretary

Agro-based & Food Industry Division

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS)

Drive the growth of the agro-based downstream industry and agrotourism, foster youth agropreneurs, and enhance the National Botanical Garden. Lead the upcoming MAHA Expo 2026.

Apr '25 to present

Undersecretary

Policy and Strategic Planning

Ministry of Defence

Lead defence policy, strategic planning and defence diplomacy.

Experience

Board

Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM)

Board Member 2025 – 2027

PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA)

Board Member 2017 – 2018

MARA Corporation (MARA Corp)

Board Member 2016 – 2018

Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR)

Board Member 2013 – 2018

National Film Development Corporation (FINAS)

Board Member 2014 – 2016

Academia

INTAN Management Journal

Article published by INTAN titled “Public Servants’ Perceptions on Working from Home during Movement Control Order: A Case Study at Two  Public Training Institutes” in Volume 16, September 2020.

Malaysian Journal of Co-operative Studies Vol. 18

Article published by the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia titled “Cooperate to Futureproof Freelancers” on September 2022.

Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) Recipient

Awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education for project titled “Assessing Worker Cooperatives Policy for Gig Workers in Malaysia” on September 2023.

Cooperatives

Koperasi Setia Malaysia Berhad (KOPSETIA)

Honorary Secretary 2008 – 2013

Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (KOPROJAYA)

Founding Chairman 2013 – 2017

Malaysian Cooperatives Movement Index 2018 (IGKM)

Reference Expert 

Non Government Organisations

Joint Management Body of Cahaya Permai Apartment

Secretary 2010 – 2012

Putrajaya Lake Club (Kelab Tasik Putrajaya)

Elected Committee Member 2016 – 2017

Mahmoodiah Mosque Putrajaya (MMP)

Protem Secretary 2016

Founding Secretary 2017 – 2021

Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of SKPP18(1) Primary School SKPP18(1)

President 2017 – 2019

4B Malaysia Youth Movement

Treasurer General 2017 – 2021

Federal Territories Ministry Surau

Vice Chairman 2019

INTAN Sports, Recreation and Welfare Club (KESKI)

President 2020 – 2021

Uniform Bodies

Scouts Association of Malaysia

National Scouts Council Member 2016-2018

Presented The King’s Scout Certificate by HRH Sultan of Perak on 27th January 2018

Malaymail.News

Peraktoday.News

Successfully completed The King’s Scout Assessment from 12-14 June 1998

8 years of active membership from Child Scout, Young Scout to Teen Scout

Malaysian Civil Defence Force

Awarded Civil Defence Service Medal on 14th May 2018

Completed Field Training in Tawau, Sabah from 24 – 26 February 2017

Appointed Honorary Colonel on 8th February 2017

Cycling

Penang International Bridge to Bridge Cycle Ride

1st Finisher 30 June 2019

KOM Holder of Second Penang Bridge

Audax Randonneurs 1,000km (BRM1000)

Finisher 1 Sept 2019

Selangor Criterium Series

5th Place (Men C) 12 Oct 2019

Inthanon Challenge 2020 (Doi Inthanon)

199th Place from 3,453 Participants 9 February 2020

BOOK EDITORIALS

Tinta INTAN: Koleksi Artikel Akhbar - 2020 Edition

Title: TINTA INTAN: Koleksi Artikel Akhbar - 2020 Edition
Year: 2020
ISSN: 2773-4889
Synopsis: This book is a collection of the best writings of INTAN officers that have been published in newspapers throughout 2020. This edition contains 31 newspaper articles that present various critical views and fresh ideas on current issues in Malaysia. Besides editorial work, I contributed three articles - Cooperate to Futureproof Freelancers, Academics as Government's In-House Consultants and Lessons in Schooling. Each article published is also readily accessible indefinitely via each newspaper's website.

Istilah Perkhidmatan Awam - Second Edition

Title: ISTILAH Perkhidmatan Awam. -Second Edition
Year: 2020
ISBN: 978-967-2167-17-4
Synopsis: This is the second edition of the book, which was first published in 2003. As such, this edition is highly sought as it defines with examples the latest terms that are currently in use by the civil service. It has eleven chapters and is highly useful as a definitive guide by Malaysian public officers. It is available for reference by the public from the INTAN Portal at https://publication.intan.my/eBOOK/IPA2020/index-h5.html#page=1

INTAN Case Studies / Caselet

Title: INTAN Case Studies/ Caselet
Year: 2020
ISSN: 2773-5575
Synopsis: This book is an annual publication by INTAN that includes an assortment of case studies written by INTAN officers as valuable material for training. This edition features a compilation of twelve case studies that personifies managerial and leadership scenarios in various government organisations. This book celebrates the highly valued case study method of teaching that is widely practiced by Ivy League universities.

Tinta INTAN: Koleksi Artikel Akhbar - 2021 Edition

Title: TINTA INTAN: Koleksi Artikel Akhbar - 2021 Edition
Year: 2021
ISSN: 2773-4889
Synopsis: This book is a collection of the best writings of INTAN officers published in newspapers throughout 2021. This edition contains 29 newspaper articles, including two from myself titled - Hedging Between Great Powers and The Paradox of Young Leaders. Each article published is also readily accessible indefinitely via each newspaper's website.

ARTICLES

Remodel Cooperatives For Freelancers

Publication: The New Straits Times
Date Published: 24 July 2020
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/07/611141/remodel-cooperatives-freelancers

Let Academics Be Government’s In-House Consultants

Publication: The New Straits Times
Date Published: 8 September 2020
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/09/622704/let-academics-be-governments-house-consultants

Make Real Changes In Schools

Publication: The New Straits Times
Date Published: 17 October 2020
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2020/10/632929/make-real-changes-schools

Hedging Between Great Powers

Publication: The New Straits Times
Date Published: 4 February 2021
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/02/662896/hedging-between-great-powers

The Paradox Of Young Leaders

Publication: The Sun, The Malay Mail & The New Straits Times
Date Published: 6 May 2021
Accessible at: https://www.thesundaily.my/local/the-paradox-of-young-leaders
Accessible at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2021/05/05/the-paradox-of-young-leaders
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/05/687448/invest-gen-y-and-gen-z-giving-leadership-opportunities

Redesign The Role Of EPU

Publication: The Star
Date Published: 8 March 2022
Accessible at: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/03/08/urgent-need-to-place-equal-emphasis-on-environment-and-economy
Accessible at: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/03/09/redesign-the-role-of-epu"

Urgency For Environmental Coordination Agency

Publication: The Sun & The Malay Mail
Date Published: 16 March 2022
Accessible at: https://www.thesundaily.my/opinion/synergise-efforts-to-protect-environment-16-03-HJ8957779
Accessible at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2022/03/15/urgency-for-environmental-coordination-agency-muhammad-ammir-haron/2047538

Cooperate to Futureproof Freelancers

Publication: Malaysian Journal of Co-operative Studies Vol. 18
Date Published: 12 September 2022
Accessible from IKMa: https://www.ikma.edu.my/images/FINAL-MSIA-JOURNAL-COOP-STUDIES-VOL-18.pdf#page=141
Accessible from MoHE: https://myjurnal.mohe.gov.my/public/article-view.php?id=188209

8 Tips to Refill Your Reservoir of Patience

Publication: The New Straits Times
Date Published: 18 February 2023
(My daughter Aisha's 7th Birthday)
Accessible at: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2023/02/881070/8-tips-refill-your-reservoir-patience

HONOURS

 

Darjah Indera Mahkota, Pahang State Government, 22 November 2014

Darjah Paduka Cura Simanja Kini, Perak State Government, 23 December 2015

Darjah Setia Ahmad Shah, Pahang State Government, 26 October 2014

Darjah Seri Melaka, Melaka State Government, 11 October 2014

 

Kesatria Mangku Negara, Federal Government, 12 June 2012

Kesatria Mahkota Wilayah, Federal Territories, 1 February 2013

 

Ahli Darjah Kinabalu, Sabah State Government, 2 November 2016

Ahli Setia Negeri Sembilan, Negeri Sembilan State Government, 14 January 2016

Ahli Mahkota Kedah, Kedah State Government, 25 January 2016

 

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 24 April 2016

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 16 March 2010

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 17 March 2008