Sir Husein Hasanally Abdoolcader Mama[1] CBE (10 September 1890 – 16 June 1974) was a Malayan or Malaysian barrister and politician born in Surat, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was a Dawoodi Bohra by faith.[2] His eldest son Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader was also a prominent figure in Malaya and was a judge at the Supreme Court of Malaysia.[3]
Husein Hasanally Abdoolcader Mama | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 September 1890 Surat, British India |
| Died | 16 June 1974 (aged 83) |
He was educated first in Malaya, at Raffles Institution, Singapore and Penang Free School, Penang. He was sent to England and went to Ilford County High School and Christ's College, Cambridge, then joined Lincoln's Inn.[citation needed]
Career
editHe was:
- an Indian Member of the Straits Settlements Legislative Council from 1928 until the outbreak of the war with Japan;
- a member of the Advisory Council of the Governor of The Malayan Union;
- a member of the Indian Immigration Committee, 1935–1953;
- President of the Third All Malaya Indian Conference, 1929–1930;
- Indian Member of the Municipal Commission, Georgetown, Penang, 1925–1951;
- President of the Penang Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;
- President of the Mohammedan Football Association of Malaya.
- A J.P and officiated as the Imam of the Dawoodi Bohra Community in Penang[4]
He is the first Indian in Malaya to receive a knighthood and was once threatened with execution by the Japanese. Throughout the Japanese occupation in Singapore during WW2, Sir Husein was under suspicion for his pro-allied sympathies. The Kempeitai eventually arrested him and soon announced that he was to be beheaded. They blindfolded him, made him kneel, then brought out a sword. Sir Husein made one request: he asked to see his family again. But the Japanese did not execute him. He survived the war and was knighted.[5]
Awards/Honours
editHe was awarded the George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935, and the George VI Coronation Medal, 1937. He was made a CBE in 1938[6] and knighted in 1948.[7]
References
edit- ^ The Straits Times, 18 November 1925, Page 8
- ^ The Straits Times, 18 November 1925, page 8
- ^ Abdoolcader, Eusofee (10 December 2017). The Legal Lion of the Commonwealth. Akasaa Publishing & Avec. p. 2. ISBN 978-9675764035
- ^ The Straits Times, 18 November 1925, page 8
- ^ The Straits Times, 7 January 1948, p. 4
- ^ "No. 34469". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1937. p. 15.
- ^ "No. 38161". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1947. p. 2.