Mohamed Talhah bin Idrus. Born on Moday 15 Safar 1369 H (5 December 1949) in Permatang Tok Mahat, Parit Buntar, Perak, Malaysia. Father was clerk in Bandar Baru, Kedah. The family moved to Kuala Nerang, Kedah in 1955, then to Jitra, Kedah 1965, Alor Setar 1966, Jitra 1967. Started school in Sekolah Melayu Kuala Nerang, St. Michael Secondary School Alor Setar, Sekolah Menengah Dato' Abdul Razak, Tanjung Malim, Perak and finally Anderson School Ipoh, Perak before entering Universiti Pulau Pinang which was changed to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1971. Upon completion of a degree in the Social Sciences, continued studying urban and reginal planning which led to a brief service with the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, Kuala Lumpur (1976-77). Joined the School of Housing and Planning (HBP), USM in April 1977. Married Sharifah Norhaidah Syed Idros 16 June 1978 and left for the United States for further studies in the University of Wisconsin in January 1979. Returned to serve as an appointed lecturer in HBP in November 1982 until retirement in 2005. Continued to serve as an Associate Professor in HBP and Director of the Alumni Liaison Office until full retirement in December 2011, all the while also acting as the Chief Editor of USM mouthpiece The Leader. Continued to pursue longtime hobby, photography even after wife's death 11 May 2010. Have four daughters and a son ranging in age (as of 2013) 19-33 years. Have been blessed with a grand-daughter born 10 January 2013 to eldest daughter. Permanently residing in Sungai Nibong, Pulau Pinang