In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Yakob is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Ahmad. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Born on 1 February 1950 in Kampung Berangan, Tumpat, Kelantan to Islamic religious figures, namely Yakob Ishak, a senior activist of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) cum village religious teacher and Cik Zainab Cik Hussin, a housewife, who is a fellow PAS activist.
He tied the knot with a teacher, Siti Zubaidah Abdul Hamid (born 1960) in 1981 and the couple had 12 children.
Education
Ahmad got his elementary education at Berangan Primary School and Bustanul Ariffin Islamic School, Tumpat, before he furthered his secondary education at Islamic Studies College in Kota Bahru. He then studied at Islamic Higher Education Centre of Kelantan, Kota Bahru; before he furthered his study outside Malaysia.
He started his educational service as a teacher in Dato' Bentara Dalam Secondary School, Segamat, Johor, in 1980. He then taught at Dabong Secondary School, Gua Musang (1986), Pasir Mas Girls' Secondary School (1986) and Rantau Panjang Secondary School (1987).
His father is a PAS figure in Tumpat and detained under Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 with another PAS figure, Nik Abdullah Arshad.
Ahmad registered as a PAS Member in 1986. Starting from 1986, he was appointed to some political post in PAS, Tumpat Chapter.
In 1995, he was offered to contest in 9th Malaysian General Election for Pasir Pekan assembly seat. He won against BN candidate, Saupi Daud, with the majority of 2,734 votes.
On 17 May 1997, Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat appointed him as a State Executive Councillor (EXCO) in charge of Industry, Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Human Resources, replacing Rozali Isohak for joining United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
After 10th Malaysian General Election, he was appointed once again as a State EXCO in charge of Housing, Local Government, Science, Technology and Environment.
In 11th Malaysian General Election, he defeated BN candidate, Mohd. Noor Yaakob, at the same assembly seat with the majority of 2,271 votes.
Ahmad was chosen as the Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan on 23 March 2004, replacing Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman. He then was appointed replacing Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat as the Menteri Besar of Kelantan on 6 May 2013.[3][4]
^"Nik Aziz berundur, Kelantan dapat MB baru". Berita Harian (in Malay). 7 May 2013. pp. 1, 6 & 7.
^Norfatimah Ahmad; Syuhada Choo Abdullah; Amin Ridzuan Ishak; Suzalina Halid (7 May 2013). "Najib ulangi sejarah ayahanda; Mukhriz sedia galas cabaran; Musa mahu kerja keras". Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 6 & 7.