The Longest-Serving Menteri Besar in the Federation of Malaya

Datuk Abdul Wahab bin Toh Muda Abdul Aziz was born in Sayong, Kuala Kangsar on May 4, 1905. His mother, Teh Aminah, was the daughter of a Perak dignitary who held the title Orang Kaya Kaya Toh Setia Bijaya Diraja Juragan Abdul Shukor Bin Muhammad Ali, and his father, Toh Muda Abdul Aziz, was also the son of a Perak dignitary during the era of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad Shah II (the 26th Sultan of Perak).

This great figure began his early education at Sekolah Melayu Pekan Baru (Ipoh) and later continued his secondary education at Anderson School, Ipoh. He achieved excellent results in the Junior Cambridge examination in 1922 and the Senior Cambridge in 1925. Datuk Abdul Wahab bin Toh Muda Abdul Aziz was not of royal descent. Therefore, he funded his own studies at the University of London in the field of law. He eventually graduated with excellent results in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law.

While abroad, his leadership talent was demonstrated by his roles as President of the Malay Students Association and President of the Malayan Students. In 1930, Datuk Abdul Wahab bin Toh Muda Abdul Aziz returned to his homeland with a law degree. At the age of 28, he ended his bachelorhood by marrying Halijah Binti Abdul Rahman. They were blessed with a daughter named Robayah. To meet the requirements to become one of the 'Orang Besar Lapan' (Eight Major Chiefs) of Perak, he married again to Badariah (the daughter of Datuk Panglima Kinta) in 1935, as arranged by his family.

In 1936, his grandfather passed away, and his father, Toh Muda Abdul Aziz, had already passed away earlier. Consequently, Abdul Wahab officially assumed the title of Datuk Panglima Gantang at the age of 43. On February 1, 1948, he was appointed as the first Menteri Besar of Perak. His excellent service impressed Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah (the 32nd Sultan of Perak), who retained him in his position as Menteri Besar of Perak. Thus, he became the individual who served as Menteri Besar for the longest time in the history of the Federation of Malaya.

Datuk Abdul Wahab bin Toh Muda Abdul Aziz was forced to retire at the age of 52 due to health reasons. As he approached the age of 54, he suffered a heart attack, which led to the passing of Datuk Abdul Wahab bin Toh Muda Abdul Aziz on April 16, 1959, at his home in Canning Garden, Ipoh.

His remains were laid to rest at Masjid Paloh, Ipoh. Tunku Abdul Rahman attended his funeral and stated that Datuk Panglima Bukit Gantang was a preeminent statesman whose contributions were immense in liberating Malaya from the British colonialists. References:

• Malaysia Book of Records, Ghulam Jie M Khan, 2000