The Honourable Datuk Anifah Hj. Aman was born in Keningau, Sabah on 16 November 1953. He received his secondary education at Sabah College, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. He later graduated from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom with a degree in philosophy, economics and law.

In November, 1999, his political career shines when he won the P. 154 Beaufort Parliamentary seat and became a Member of Parliament for Beaufort. In Mac, 2004, the Honourable Datuk Anifah Hj. Aman was again given the mandate by the constituents to continue serving as a Member of Parliament for P. 176 Kimanis Parliamentary seat, a seat which he held until today. In July 2004, he was also elected as the Divisional Head for UMNO Kimanis Division until today.

The Honourable Datuk Anifah Aman with the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Hj. Abdul Razak during a bilateral meeting with His Excellency the Prime Minister of Thailand.

His excellent track record as a Member of Parliament contributed further to his political career when he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Primary Industries from 1999 to 2004 and the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities from 2004 until March 2008. In April 2009, he was promoted and appointed to a new portfolio as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Honourable Datuk Anifah Aman in a Cabinet group photograph with His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

The Honourable Datuk Anifah Hj. Aman is an avid golfer. He also loves soccer. His passion for the sport saw his involvement in the various capacities. Since 1995 to date, the Honourable Datuk Anifah Hj. Aman played the various roles as the Manager for the Sabah Football M-League Team, Vice President, Executive Committee Member and Council Member of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and President of the Sabah Football Association (SAFA).

He was also Team Manager for the FAM team for B-23 Years. For his illustrious contribution to the development of soccer, he was awarded with the Special Award of Leadership for Sports (Anugerah Khas Persatuan Kepimpinan Sukan) in 1996 from the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports of Malaysia.

For his colourful contributions to the people, the Honourable Datuk Anifah Aman was conferred with the Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu (ASDK) in 1994 and the “Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK)” award in 1998, which carry the title ‘Datuk’ by the Governor of the State of Sabah. In 2004, he was also conferred with the “Darjah Mahkota Pahang (DIMP)” award by the His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang. He was also made as the Justice of Peace (JP) in 1996. The Honourable Datuk Anifah Aman is married to Y.Bhg. Datin Siti Rubiah Bt. Datuk Abdul Samad and was blessed with three sons.