Dato' Dr. Affifuddin Hj. Omar was born on 27th of March 1943 in Kampung Kubang Lembu, Jitra, Kedah. He received his early education at the Jitra Malay School from 1949 until 1952, completing standard 4. He then continued his education at the Sultan Hamid College and passed his Higher School Certificate in the science stream. In 1963, he enrolled at the University of Malaya and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in Agriculture. In 1969, he left for the University of Kentucky, USA and completed his Masters degree in Economics and Social Development in 1971. Then, in 1976, he left for Cornell University, New York for his doctorate and in 1978 he qualified with a Ph.D in Economics and Politics.

Career

• Agronomist at the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia (1967- 1969)
  
• Head of Planning Division, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) (1976)
  
• Consultant Expert to the World Bank (1972)
  
• Consultant Expert to the Asian Development Bank in Manila (1973)
  
• Head, Agricultural Division of MADA (1979)
  
• General Manager, Kedah Economic Development Authority (KEDA)
  
• Chairman, Bank Rakyat and all its subsidiary companies (1991)
  
• Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Finance (1994)
  
• Deputy Minister of Finance (1995-1999)
  
• Deputy Minister of Human Resource (1999)
  
• Executive Chairman, Juwana Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
  
• Board of Directors, Koperasi Usaha Berhad (KUB)
  
• Chairman, Chew Piau Berhad
  
• External Examiner of graduates doing their doctorate (Ph.D) at the University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia

Political Involvement

• Won the Parliamentary seat of Padang Terap during the 1986 General Election (1986)
  
• Head of UMNO Padang Terap Division (1990)
  
• Chairman of Barisan National of Padang Terap Division
  
• Member of UMNO Supreme Council, 1993/ 1996

In the field of writing, Dato' Dr. Affifuddin has produced 27 articles, and 7 of which had been published in international journals such as the Rural Sociology, Economist and many more.

His experience in the field of agriculture has led him to qualify to receive the award of 'Fellow of Agricultural Development Council II' and 'Fellow of UN Socio-economic Development Institute'.

In appreciation of his services and contributions, he received several honours and awards, which include the Bintang Cemerlang Kedah (B.C.K.), the Kesatria Mangku Negara (K.M.N.), the Johan Setia Mahkota (J.S.M.) and the Dato' Setia DiRaja Kedah (D.S.D.K.) which carries the title Dato'.