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| Dr Syed Mahmood bin Syed Hussain Jamalullail (1921-2011) |
Syed Mahmood was born on 29
September 1921 in Arau, Perlis. His early years were spent in his hometown,
Arau, where he attended the Arau Malay School. Later he went to Penang and
studied at the Government English School, Hutching’s School, and the Penang
Free School. He successfully completed the OSCE in 1939 and secured a place to
study law at the University of Cambridge. However, his application for
scholarship was turned down. Syed Mahmood managed to get a medical seat instead
of law, at the University of Hong Kong.
His father gave him full support and a hearty send off from the Arau
railway station in 1939.
A whole new world awaited Syed
Mahmood in Hong Kong. His undergraduate years were academically and socially
enriching and enjoyable. An avid
sportsman and a cricketer, he played for Hong Kong University and was a popular
figure on the campus. He also joined the Volunteer Force of the University. At
that time, the Second World War was building up around the region. When the
Japanese took over Hong Kong in 1941, he was made a prisoner of war. Being a
Muslim and requiring halal food, he was placed with the Indian prisoners at the
Ma Tau Chung Camp. He made friends with many Indian soldiers who had fought for
the British. In the meantime, a senior faculty member managed to convince the
Japanese authorities that imprisoned medical students could help out in the
public health sector, especially in control of infectious diseases programmes.
Together with others, he was released on parole, and worked with the medical
team. Later, he worked at the Star Ferry Company as an Inspector. He had
several close friends among the Hong Kong Chinese community and was quite
fluent in Cantonese. When the war was over in 1945, he was given a place at the
University of Oxford to complete his medical studies. He had been away from
home for more than six years and did not want to sail to England right away. He
was given permission to travel via Malaya for a reunion with his parents and
family. When he reached Arau in September 1945, he learnt that the father who
had been a source of inspiration for him had passed away. Times and fortunes
had changed and his mother and family needed his presence and support. He chose
to be nearer home, enrolled at the University of Malaya in Singapore and graduated
as a doctor with MBBS in 1951.
He did his housemanship in Johor
Bahru Hospital. He then returned to Perlis, to work as a medical officer. In
1956, he married Ruby bte Abdul Majeed. In 1967, the couple moved to Kuala
Lumpur and commenced general practice as Clinic Drs Syed Mahmood and Ruby
Majeed in the MARA building, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
In 1972, Dr Syed Mahmood was
selected by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Dr Ismail to lead the first
Malaysian medical delegation to China. At that time, there were no diplomatic
ties with China. The group studied and prepared a report on medical conditions
in China especially the much publicized acupuncture anaesthesia at Chinese
hospitals. He served as the President of the College of General Practitioners
from 1978 to 1980. He contributed regularly to University of Malaya. He served
on the University Council, chaired several of its key committees and served as
Chairman, Board of Management, University Hospital (now University of Malaya Medical
Centre). He was also actively involved in professional bodies and served as
President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) in 1988.*
Dr Syed Mahmood married Dr Ruby bt Abdul Majeed in 1956. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, and five grandchildren.
Dr Syed Mahmood passed away of old age on 30 November 2011.** He was 90 years old.
Dr Ruby was still alive then - she was 87 years old. She later passed away.
** On 13 May 2012, Prof Datin Dr Farida Jamal (UPM) informed me that Dr Syed Mahmood bin Syed Hussain Jamalullail had passed away in November 2011.
Malay version by Maharum Bugis Syah:
Allahyarham Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Syed Mahmood Jamalullail
Family tree:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/states/malaysia/perlis.html
