Muhammad Ammir Haron
Senior Under Secretary (Management), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Malaysia
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Muhammad Ammir Haron
Senior Under Secretary (Management), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Malaysia
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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.


I oversee six core divisions responsible for administration, finance, accounts, human resource management, digital transformation and 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

Muhammad Ammir Haron is a Malaysian public sector leader with more than two decades of experience in strategic policy, institutional management, national development and stakeholder leadership. He currently serves as Senior Under Secretary (Management) at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), where he oversees six core divisions responsible for administration, finance, accounts, human resource management, digital transformation and development projects.

Throughout his career, Ammir has developed a reputation for bringing people, policy and institutions together to translate strategy into practical and lasting results. His leadership approach is grounded in trust, accountability and service, with a strong emphasis on building capable teams, aligning diverse stakeholders and strengthening institutions beyond individual tenure.

He began his career as a trainee auditor at KPMG Malaysia before joining the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service in 2004. After serving at the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, he was appointed Special Officer for Economic Affairs to the Deputy Prime Minister in 2008. He subsequently served at the Prime Minister’s Office from 2009 to 2018, progressing through several leadership appointments before becoming Director of Policy and Research.

At the Ministry of Federal Territories, Ammir served as Undersecretary of the Development Division, where he helped oversee a major national development portfolio that included the multibillion-ringgit River of Life initiative. He later joined the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), contributing to public sector research, training, publication and the development of future Administrative and Diplomatic Officers.

In 2023, he was appointed Undersecretary of the Agro based Food Industry Division at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, where he led policies and programmes supporting downstream agro based industries, agrotourism and youth participation in agriculture.

Ammir subsequently served as Undersecretary of Policy and Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Defence. During Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, he chaired the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group and led the working level negotiations that secured consensus on an ADMM Plus Joint Statement involving 19 participating countries. The outcome reflected Malaysia’s ability to build trust and common ground among partners with differing strategic interests.

Beyond the civil service, Ammir has held board responsibilities across affordable housing, the creative industries, investment, education, welfare and commodity development. He has served on the boards of PR1MA Corporation Malaysia, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), MARA Corporation, Yayasan Bank Rakyat and the Malaysian Cocoa Board.

His commitment to institution building extends to the cooperative and youth sectors. As the Founding Chairman of Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (KOPROJAYA), he led its growth from approximately 60 members in 2013 to approximately 1,600 members by the conclusion of his chairmanship in 2017. More importantly, he helped develop an internal leadership pipeline that enabled successive chairmen to emerge from within the organisation and continue its progress. He also served two terms as Treasurer General of Gerakan Belia 4B Malaysia.

Ammir holds a Master of Economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Sheffield, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management from INTAN. He is currently pursuing a part-time Doctor of Business Administration at UNITAR International University, with research focused on leadership.

His leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple conviction: leaders should do what they say and say what they do. He believes that lasting leadership is built through competence, consistency and compassion, and should ultimately be measured by the people developed, the institutions strengthened and the positive change that continues after the leader has moved on.

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.

Board

Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM)

Board Member 2025

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

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.

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

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

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, 7 May 2026

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 24 April 2016

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 16 March 2010

Civil Service Excellence Service Award, 17 March 2008