Search 9

SEARCH 9

1 May 2005 (Labour Day, after maghrib)

The ninth search is to study the information provided on the NUSS alumni website as mentioned by En. Mohd. Fadli Ghani in one of his e-mails (see at end of Search 4). I had accessed the site earlier and had printed the information on 29 January 2005 but only have time for it today. It is 8.15 pm.

You can go to the NUSS homepage at http://www.nuss.org.sg and click on the History button on the left navigation menu to get to the web page on History. The printed web page carried the text 'Welcome to NUSS website' and the url is http://www.nuss.org.sg/about_History_Frame.htm. The page contained a number of errors so it is difficult to make out what actually happened based on the information provided on the NUSS website alone.

However, I am just rearranging the information from that page here to see how things fall into place. I have also inserted the two world wars and the Great Depression which occurred to see their effects. The following is a reconstructed register based on the probable activities which occurred between 1905 - 1948.

MILESTONES IN MEDICINE 1905-1948

1905 - Straits Settlements and Federal Malay States (SFMS) Government Medical School opened. It did not state where and when exactly. The SFMS Govt Medical School opened in the disused Female Lunatic Asylum at Sepoy Lines in Singapore.

1906 - no activities were noted.

1907 - no activities were noted.

1908 - no activities were noted.

1909 - no activities were noted.

1910 - The first batch of 7 medical students graduated with the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS). It did not state whether this batch graduated in March or August 1910. This degree should be the equivalent of our MBBS or MD degree conferred on medical undergraduates today after 5 years of successful completion of the medical programme. Since Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak graduated only in 1911, we can be sure that he did not graduate in this first batch. Did Dr. Abdul Samad graduate in 1910? We are still uncertain.

August 1911 - Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak graduated from the Straits Settlements and Federal Malay States (SFMS) Government Medical School. He was the first Malay doctor in Malaya who graduated from a western medical school. He graduated in the second batch of doctors in 1911 (the first batch graduated in 1910 and consisted of 7 students).

1912 - The institution's name was changed to King Edward VII Medical School. So, we can now say that all our early doctors who graduated between 1912-1921, graduated from the KE VII Medical School.

March 1912 - Dr. S Kassim graduated from KE VII Medical School.
 

1913 - no news of the medical graduates.

1914 - no news of the medical graduates.

1915 - no news of the medical graduates.

1916 - (Start of World War 1)

March 1916 - Dr. HS Moonshi and Dr. Pandak Ahmad b Allang Samin (Pandak Ahmad b Alang Sidin) graduated from KE VII Medical School.

August 1916 - Dr. Md Ibrahim graduated from KE VII Medical School.

March 1917 - Dr. Md Baboo graduated from KE VII Medical School.

August 1917 - Dr. IM Ghows graduated from KE VII Medical School.

1918 - no news of the medical graduates. (End of World War 1)

1919 - no news of the medical graduates.

1920 - no news of the medical graduates.

1921 - The Medical School expanded and became King Edward VII College of Medicine. So, we can now say that all our early doctors who graduated after 1921, graduated from the KE VII College of Medicine.

1921 - no news of the medical graduates.

1922 - no news of the medical graduates.

March 1923 - Dr. Hamzah b Taib graduated from KE VII College of Medicine.

March 1924 - Dr. Hussein b Md Ibrahim (Hussin b Mohamed Ibrahim) graduated from KE VII College of Medicine.

1925 - no news of the medical graduates.
1926 - no news of the medical graduates.
1927 - no news of the medical graduates.

1928 - Raffles College opens.

1928 - no news of the medical graduates.

1929 - Raffles College official opening.

March 1929 - Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmad (Nizamudding Ahmad) graduated from KE VII College of Medicine.

March 1930 - Dr. Che Lah b Mohd Joonos (10 December 1903 - 26 January 1986) graduated from KE VII College of Medicine with the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS).

1931 - no news of the medical graduates.
1932 - no news of the medical graduates.
1933 - no news of the medical graduates.
1934 - no news of the medical graduates.
1935 - no news of the medical graduates.

1936 - Datuk Dr. Haji Abbas Alias (1914 - 2004) graduated from KE VII College of Medicine with the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS). (The Great Depression occurred in USA)

1937 - no news of the medical graduates.

1938 - no news of the medical graduates.

1939 - no news of the medical graduates.

1940 - no news of the medical graduates.

1941 - no news of the medical graduates.

1942 - no news of the medical graduates.

1943 - no news of the medical graduates.

1944 - no news of the medical graduates.

1945 - no news of the medical graduates.

1946 - Raffles College and KE VII College of Medicine closed during the Japanese Occupation. (Start of World War 2)

1946 - no news of the medical graduates.

1947 - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Dr. Siti Hasmah Ali graduated.

1948 - Raffles College and KE VII College of Medicine re-opened after the Japanese Occupation. (End of World War 2)

It cannot be ascertained when these following doctors graduated:

Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Majid
Tan Sri Dr. Abu Bakar
Tan Sri Dr. Raja Ahmad Nordin
Dr. Amir Abbas
Dr. Ungku Omar Ahmad
Dato' Dr. Haji Mohammed
Dr. Abdul Samad

It is 9.10 pm. I will stop here for some snack.

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Acknowledgement

NUSS website  http://www.nuss.org.sg or  http://www.nuss.org.sg/about_History_Frame.htm

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 10

SEARCH 10

1 May 2005 (Labour Day, after isya')

The tenth search is to scrutinise an editorial written by Professor JS Cheah (mdccjs@nus.edu.sg) entitled "Approaching 100 Years of Medical and University Education in Singapore" which appeared in Singapore Medical Journal 2003, volume 44, number 1, pages 1-3. This article helps to improve on the facts and gaps accumulated thus far. It is now 9.43 pm.

Founding of the Medical School, Singapore (3 July 1905)

The first sentence of Professor Cheah's editorial states that the Medical School in Singapore was founded on 3 July 1905 with an enrolment of 23 students (this answers my query in Search 9). It was first founded as the Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School. Its name was changed to King Edward VII Medical School, Singapore in 1913. This major name change was significant as it marked the non ownership of the medical school by both the Straits Settlement and the Government of the Federated Malay States. The new name indicated the acquisition of the medical school by British Malaya. This then became the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS).

According to the first Principal of the Medical School, Dr. Gerald Dudley Freer, who was Principal between 3 July 1905 - 3 February 1909, the buildings of the Female Lunatic Asylum were altered and equipped to become the Medical School which was close to the General Hospital where the medical students performed part of their training. Of the 23 medical students who enrolled, only one was a Malay who was he? Dr. Freer left his post on 3 February 1909 to become Senior Medical Officer, Selangor by appointment.

Before the Medical School was set up in 1905, locals (unspecified) were trained for the medical service in the Straits Settlement as either Assistant Apothecary, Hospital Dresser, or Sub-Assistant Surgeon. There was clearly discrimination in that only Britons could be Medical Officers and the locals could only be medical subordinates even though it was Malaya (land of the Malay people). It must be very humiliating for the Malays being treated as second class citizens in their own land.

History of medical education in Singapore and The Straits between 1786 - 1871 and 1819-1990 has been described in by Lee Yong Kiat. I do not have access to this book/article currently. It should be good to catch hold of this article to see if the clergy Malay doctors (tabib) have been included as this is most appropriate when writing about history of medicine in Malaya.

A historical account of the Medical School between 1905 - 1949 has been written by Faris DWG in 1949. I do not have access to this article.

100 Anniversary of the Medical School, Singapore (3 July 2005)

The Medical School also made commemorative publications to mark its 50th, 60th, 75th and 90th anniversaries. I do not have access to these publications. These publications contain list of graduates plus other useful information.

The 100th anniversary publication is hoped to be spectacular and to contain more accurate historical information (which I feel is timely).

Both the Faculty of Medicine, NUS and NUS itself will celebrate their 100th Anniversary on 3 July 2005 (two months from the time of this writing).

Japanese Occupation (1941-1945)

The Japanese invasion of Malaya occurred between 1941-1945 and is better regarded as the Japanese Occupation. It totally disrupted the operation of the Medical School and practically everything came to a halt. The Japanese Occupation is mostly linked to a desolate life, utter barbarism, terrorism, victimisation and brutal killings of all age groups. Japanese was used as the medium of instruction. It was very shocking to hear about the Japanese Occupation from our own parents who lived during this reign of terror. I can never imagine that humans can take on and act more brutal than animals.

The Japanese Military Administration  reopened the Medical College on 27 April 1943 and it was known as the Marei Ika Daigaku or Syonan Medical College. It occupied Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Hakua Byoin). The Ika Daigaku was relocated to the General Hospital, Malacca in February 1944 and ended its service with the end of the Japanese Occupation in 1945. This is a new piece of information to me as I was born in General Hospital, Malacca in 1958 but my own late mother never mentioned of Ika Daigaku to me when we lived in Malacca between 1958-1963 and 1972-1973. But I can still recall General Hospital, Malacca as being a haunted place. But I remember my mother telling me that a Japanese soldier had hung himself to death in my bedroom toilet in our rented double-storey bungalow among the government teachers quarters in Maktab Perguruan Perempuan Melayu in Durian Daun, Malacca. Over in Sekolah Menengah Kubang Kerian 1, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan is the secondary school closest to USM. This school has since observed many haunting episodes on the very site of the brutal killings performed during the Japanese Occupation. This haunted site presently houses the school's musalla.

The Medical College resumed classes in June 1946 when the British reoccupied Singapore and Malaya.

Founding of University Malaya (UM) (1949)

The King Edward VII College of Medicine amalgamated with Raffles College in 1949 to become University Malaya (better known as UM to many) and became its Faculty of Medicine.

It became the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Singapore in 1962. (I was 4 years old.)

Founding of Singapore (1965)

Singapore was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.

Singapore ceded and became independent from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. (I was in Standard 1, Sultana Asma Primary School, Alor Star, Kedah.)

Singapore became Republic of Singapore.

Founding of the National University of Singapore (NUS) (1982)

University of Singapore became the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1982. (I had just returned from the USA after my MSc.)

It is now 11.55 pm. I will stop here for tonight.

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Acknowledgement

JS Cheah. Approaching 100 Years of Medical and University in Singapore. Singapore Med J. 2003. Vol. 44(1):1-3. Download article from http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4401/4401e1.pdf 

E-mail Professor JS Cheah at mdccjs@nus.edu.sg

Establishment, anniversaries and commemoration

Medical School, Singapore was established: 3 July 1905

50th Anniversary: 3 July 1955

60th Anniversary: 3 July 1965

75th Anniversary: 3 July 1980

90th Anniversary: 3 July 1995

100th Anniversary: 3 July 2005

I will need these references if anyone can get them for me:

• Fifty Years of Medical Education. Singapore: Stamford Press, 1955.
• Sixty Years of Medical Education, 1905-1965. Singapore: Stamford Press, 1965.
• 75 Years (1905-1980) of Medical Education. Singapore: Khai Wah Litho (Pte) Ltd, 1980.
• A Continuity of Ideals: Commemorating 90 Years of Medical Education (1905-1995). Medical Faculty, National University of Singapore. Singapore: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd, 1995.

Medical history

Lee Yong Kiat. The Medical History of Early Singapore. Tokyo: South East Asia Medical Centre, 1978.

Lee Yong Kiat. History of College of Medicine Building, Medical Education & Medical Services in Singapore, 1819-1990. Singapore: Annals, ACADMED, 1992.

Faris DWG. History of the King Edward VII College of Medicine Singapore 1905 - 1949. Med J Malaya 1949; 4:3-17.

Straits Settlements Annual Report of the Medical Department 1907; 73-5

Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945)

Cheah JS, Tay G. The Marei Ika Daigaku (Syonan Medical College) during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945).

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 11

SEARCH 11

2 May 2005 (after maghrib)

The eleventh search is to scrutinise JENDELA issue 3/2004, a bulletin of the library in USM. The bulletin had arrived in my department on 20 January 2005. I had browsed it then and asked for a photocopy but only have time for it now. It is 8.20 pm.

I am most interested in a 3-page article entitled "Koleksi Dunia Melayu Seperti Yang Dibicarakan di International Colloquium on Libraries and the Construction of Knowledge About Malay World", written by Encik Ramli Abdul Samad, a prolific writer known to many but unknown to me. He is a librarian and heads the Bahagian Malaysiana dan Arkib section in Perpustakaan USM. His e-mail is unknown.

There is a paper mentioned in this article entitled "Collectors, classifiers, and researchers of the Malay World: How individuals and institutions in Britain in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries collected, arranged and organized libraries, archives and museums and how that impacts on today's researchers" by Nicholas Martland, a librarian with the South East Asia and Pacific Studies, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London. But his paper dealt with institutions which kept historical materials of Malay history (sejarah), arts (sastera) and linguistics (bahasa).

Encik Ramli Abdul Samad explained that the term Dunia Melayu refers to a geographical region encompassing Malaysia, Pattani, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Timur Leste, and the island of New Guinea.

Another paper by Rohayati Paseng Barnard, a librarian with the University of Hawaii at I' Manoa mentioned about the University of California, Riverside (UCR) opening a collection called Tenggara Asia. I am most wishful that the Tenggara Asia collection will materialise in UCR as I was a graduate of UCR in 1982 and this could be a good start for me.

Encik Ramli's paper mentioned that very little religious manuscripts by the Malays were collected or catalogued.

Another paper "Searching for the Malay World at The Library of Congress" by Katheryn Anderson, a librarian with the Library of Congress, Washington DC mentioned that it contained a large Asian collection on all subject areas except agriculture and medicine.

According to Encik Ramli's article, the Australian National University (ANU) holds the largest Asia and Pacific collection to support its teaching and research on Asian Studies. Among the ANU collection of Dunia Melayu includes Siri Sejarah Sastera Melayu or Sulalat'us-Salatin, Penang Gazette and Straits Chronicle 1879-1900. Encik Ramli mentioned Anna Reid, an officer for the access of information on Asia Tenggara in ANU. Anna Reid quoted UKM Dr Shamsul gave a forum on "Dunia Melayu" in 2003 at ANU. See Search 13 re Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, UKM.

Encik Ramli further quoted a paper which mentioned that the National Library of Indonesia contained local and foreign newspapers from the 17th century, ancient maps from the 12th century, and a collection of manuscripts.

Encik Ramli highlighted a complex issue governing the meanings of two terms, Kajian Melayu or Kajian Dunia Melayu or Malay Studies or Studies of the Malay World, and Dunia Melayu or the Malay World. Kajian Dunia Melayu would take into consideration ethnicity for analytical purposes, while Kajian Melayu would take into consideration the geographical boundaries and linguistics.

Encik Ramli Abdul Samad

Bahagian Malaysiana dan Arkib

Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut

Universiti Sains Malaysia Kampus Sejahtera (main campus)

1800 USM Pulau Pinang

Malaysia

Tel: 604 - 657 - 7888 ext. 3721

E-mail: ramli.as@notes.usm.my

Website: www.lib.usm.my/liblist2.htm

It is now 9.31 pm.

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Acknowledgement

JENDELA issue 3/2004: pages 3-5

A bulletin of Perpustakaan USM (now re-named Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut on 10 December 2004).

Encik Ramli Abdul Samad

A prolific writer and librarian. Head of Bahagian Malaysiana dan Arkib, Perpustakaan USM. His e-mail is unknown. He wrote "Koleksi Dunia Melayu Seperti Yang Dibicarakan di International Colloquium on Libraries and the Construction of Knowledge About Malay World" in JENDELA issue 3/2004: pages 3-5. He gave the meanings of Dunia Melayu.

Encik Ramli Abdul Samad

Bahagian Malaysiana dan Arkib

Perpustakaan Hamzah Sendut

Universiti Sains Malaysia Kampus Sejahtera (main campus)

1800 USM Pulau Pinang

Malaysia

Tel: 604 - 657 - 7888 ext. 3721

E-mail: ramli.as@notes.usm.my

Website: www.lib.usm.my/liblist2.htm

Dunia Melayu (The Malay World)

Dunia Melayu refers to a geographical region encompassing Malaysia, Pattani, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Timur Leste, and the island of New Guinea.

Kajian Melayu (Malay Studies)

Kajian Melayu would take into consideration the geographical boundaries and linguistics.

Kajian Dunia Melayu (Studies of the Malay World)

Kajian Dunia Melayu would take into consideration ethnicity for analytical purposes.

University of California, Riverside (UCR)

Opening a collection called Tenggara Asia (Southeast Asia).

Australian National University (ANU)

ANU collection  of Dunia Melayu includes Siri Sejarah Sastera Melayu or Sulalat'us-Salatin, Penang Gazette and Straits Chronicle 1879-1900. UKM Dr Shamsul gave a forum on "Dunia Melayu" in 2003 at ANU. See Search 13 re Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, UKM.

Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

Director, Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), UKM.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 12

SEARCH 12

2 May 2005 (after isya')

The twelfth search is to scrutinise a photocopy of a newspaper clipping which I made quite long ago. I can't recall from which local Malay paper nor what year I had kept this clipping. It reads "Dr Abdul Latif, Dr Mazlin dilantik profesor UKM". It is 10.40 pm.

Two newly elected UKM professors, Dr. Abdul Latif Samian and Dr. Mazlin Mokhtar, were featured above the corresponding text.

Dr. Abdul Latif Samian (44 years) is from Pusat Pengajian Umum, UKM. Dr. Abdul Latif obtained his PhD in Philosophy from UM. He has published more than 100 makalah in the Journal of Islamic Culture, Muslim Education Quarterly, Sains Malaysiana, Pemikir, Kesturi, Hamdard Medicus, Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, and the International Journal of Transcendent Philosophy.

I am positive that Dr. Abdul Latif may have some knowledge or insight of the early Malay doctors and ulamak and their writings.

It is 10.54 pm

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Acknowledgement

Newspaper clipping  "Dr Abdul Latif, Dr Mazlin dilantik profesor UKM"

Which local Malay paper? Date? Year? Check original clipping.

Dr. Abdul Latif Samian (PhD in Philosophy from UM; 44 years)

Pusat Pengajian Umum, UKM. He published more than 100 makalah in the Journal of Islamic Culture, Muslim Education Quarterly, Sains Malaysiana, Pemikir, Kesturi, Hamdard Medicus, Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, and the International Journal of Transcendent Philosophy.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 13

SEARCH 13

2 May 2005 (late night)

The 13th search is to scrutinise an article in the local newspaper, The Star, 6 March 2005, section on Focus, page 24. It is entitled "Malay history a click away" by Audrey Edwards. It is 10.58 pm.

The article subtitle indicated that the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM has a web portal and offers an interactive CD. I have not visited the portal nor seen the CD.

The Malay World Studies portal is at www.malaycivilization.com and was set up in 1999. The portal has 13 databases with 400,000 entries and includes images and books. Readers can freely download information as the text is free. There is no charge for using the portal as the Institute feels charging would attract less readers. The future of this portal seems bright as there is allocation for it under the 9th Malaysia Plan since Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim saw its role and importance to the public.

Featured on the web portal is Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) which covers stories, myths, customs, values, life histories of the Malaccan Sultans, digitised Jawi literary works, more than 22,000 entries of Malay proverbs and 14,000 Baba poetry in the Malay World Database called Padat. The Baba poetry were collected from books and newspapers published between 1889-1940s. Padat has more than 45,000 entries based on journals, books, thesis and other sources (unspecified).

The CD is in English and Malay and features W.G Shellabear's edition of the annals.

Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

He is the Director of the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM. He remarked on the archaeological finding of the lost city in Johore. Interestingly, Prof. Shamsul qouted "any manuscript is a form of knowledge" in addition to oral, artifacts, photos or images and technology. He added "knowledge may not necessarily be written", i.e., remains tacit. He is contemplating on working with the Balai Seni Lukis Kebangsaan (National Art Gallery) to produce a "virtual Malay world" using 3D scenarios to make history appealing and to motivate the public to have interest by having them to visualise history. Also see Search 11 re Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.

Associate Professor Dr Ding Choo Ming

He is also with the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM. He is responsible for the rationale behind the portal. He is responsible for managing and expanding the portal along with Associate Professor Dr Supyan Hussin and two assistants. He pays attention to enriching the public, sustaining their interests and attracting new visitors to the portal. He deals with copyright issues face-to-face.

It is 11.58 pm. I will stop here for tonight.

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Acknowledgement

The Star, 6 March 2005, section on Focus, article on page 24: "Malay history a click away" by Audrey Edwards.

Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM

(Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu or ATMA)

Has a web portal and offers an interactive CD

The Malay World Studies portal is at www.malaycivilization.com (set up in 1999)

The Malay World Database is called Padat

Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

Director, Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM.

Spoke about the lost city in Johore.

Views on knowledge:

Knowledge manifests as manuscripts, oral, artifacts, photos/images and technology.

Knowledge may not necessarily be written, i.e., remains tacit.

Associate Professor Dr Ding Choo Ming

Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, UKM.

He is responsible for managing and expanding the portal along with Associate Professor Dr Supyan Hussin and two assistants.

He deals with copyright issues face-to-face. Visit him at the Institute for this aspect.

Associate Professor Dr Supyan Hussin

Nil of note.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 14

SEARCH 14

3 May 2005

The 14th search is to scrutinise another newspaper clipping which appeared in the New Sunday Times, 6 March 2005, Learning Curve, page 4. The article is entitled "A labour of love" by Sumitha Martin. It is now 10.00 pm.

The article is about an Asian Studies scholar from the Australian National University (ANU), Dr. Deborah Johnson's assessment of the Malaysian intellectual scene. She is 49 years and has deep interest in Malaysia. She is a Malaysia-Australia Fellow 2004 at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), UKM. Her one-year fellowship ended in January 2005. Her MSc thesis was on the role of the Malaysian prime ministers. Her PhD thesis was on Malaysian intellectuals. She speaks 4 languages - English, German, Indonesian and Malay.

Dr. Deborah had delivered an inspiring paper about her research on tracking Malaysian thinkers of the 20th century at ATMA, UKM held in late 2004. According to ATMA Director, Professor Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, it was one of the most focused research on Malaysian intellectuals.

There seemed to be great interest surrounding the Malaysian intellectuals. A query was whether the activities of these intellectuals have been made known. Another query was whether quiet achievers (those who wrote quietly) were included alongside public intellectuals.

Dr. Deborah is due to write her next book on the roots of the Malaysian intellectuals.

Dr. Deborah is also researching on The Representation of Melayu project in Berlin, Germany.

It is 10.40 pm.

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Acknowledgement

Sumitha Martin. A labour of love. The New Sunday Times, 6 March 2005, Learning Curve, page 4.

Dr. Deborah Johnson (49 years). Australian National University (ANU). Canberra, Australia.

Malaysia-Australia Fellow 2004 at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), UKM.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 15

SEARCH 15

3 May 2005

The 15th search is to scrutinise a fourth e-mail sent to me on 31 January 2005 by En. Mohd. Fadli Ghani from Kuala Lumpur. The subject read "Doktor Melayu Pertama". En. Fadli thanked me for reading his article. It is 10.45 pm.

According to En. Fadli, he had specifically chosen to write about Malay science (sains Melayu) as there is notion that one must use English to show science literacy. But En. Fadli pointed out that even though the previous Malays had not heard a word of English, they were masters of science in their own way. He stressed that the Malays have a lot of physics built into their daily conversation. Take for example their peribahasa, "Bagai telur di hujung tanduk" which signifies their understanding of a concept in physics. They used the concepts of balance and gravity in normal conversation, for example, "Meludah ke langit jatuh ke muka sendiri".

En. Fadli disliked my addressing him as tuan (sir). He added, he is too young to receive such an honour; he revealed that he is less than 30 years old! I had actually used the term tuan in my e-mails to him as I felt this was most appropriate since I did not know his age initially. At least now I know.

Part 1

En. Fadli mentioned that he will take some shots of the road/building named after Dr. Abdul Latiff. He passes by Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) daily and can spare time to take some photographs. He goes to Shah Alam once a week but he will try and access the UNISEL website first.

En. Fadli has some information concerning Dr. Abdul Latiff. However, he is pretty unsure. En. Fadli wanted to know who is Dr. Abdul Latiff's granddaughter in UKM.

Dr. Abdul Latiff's granddaughter is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap. She is in UKM. See Search 1 re Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap
Dept of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Malaysia
E-mail: norsidah@mail.hukm.ukm.my

This is what En. Fadli found concerning Dr. Abdul Latiff's background.

Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak (1885? - 1958)

En. Fadli estimates that Dr. Abdul Latiff was born circa 1885 based on his entry into the Singapore Medical School in 1905. He started education at Sekolah Melayu Kelang* in 1892. He completed Primary 7 (Junior Cambridge) in 1900. He then went to do Senior Cambridge at Victoria Institution (VI), High Street, Kuala Lumpur until 1904. He then joined the 23 students who entered The Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, Singapore in 1905. He obtained the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS) in 1911. He was probably the first Malay doctor to graduate from the Medical School.

The family of Dr. Abdul Latiff could have probably originated from Kelang and that he too was born in Kelang. His father, Abdul Razak, was a territorial chief (penghulu). Dr. Abdul Latiff was the eldest son of Abdul Razak. Dr. Abdul Latiff lived in Kuala Lumpur after returning from Singapore.

After graduation, Dr. Abdul Latiff served as a medical assistant in General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (GHKL)*. His medical degree was certified and accepted by the General Medical Council of Great Britain in 1916, after which he served as a medical officer in GHKL.

Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Majid Ismail, ex-Chief Director of Health Malaysia noted that he had received treatment from one of the doctors named Dr. Abdul Latiff in GHKL in 1937. Dr. Abdul Latiff probably continued to work in GHKL until late 1930s and even up to the time when WW2 occurred.

At the time Dr. Abdul Latiff received the Jubilee Gift Award in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of VI in 1954, he was already retired from the government hospital service. He died in 1958 but the exact date in unknown.

One of Dr. Abdul Latiff's son is Tan Sri Yaacob Latiff. He was the first Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur (first mayor of KL). In 1958, Tan Sri Yaacob organised the Latiff Shield, a charity fund for debate in honour of his father.

*Note the changes in spellings and names:

Kelang is the old spelling. The current spelling is Klang.

General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (GHKL) is now Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) - Editor.

Part 2

En. Fadli alerted me to the need to see a particular person in order to correctly study the works of the early Malay doctors. This person is Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah.

Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah

He is the grandson of Tuan Guru Haji Wan Ahmad Mohd. Zain, a Malay doctor in Mekah. See Search 8 re Sheikh Wan Ahmad bin Wan Muhammad Zain al-Fathani (1856-1908). Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah possesses many Malay manuscripts about medicine but he is unsure whether they were written by doctors or non-doctors. En. Fadli's house is adjacent to Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah's house. En. Fadli has briefly met Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah at the mosque but has not had the opportunity to discuss at length. En. Fadli will try and meet up with Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah if time permits.

It has been a tradition among the early Malay ulamak to write manuscripts and books with Arabic titles but Malay contents. These include Kitab Kuning, Taj as-Salatin, Silalatus Salatin, Bustanus Salatin, and other books on Malay politics.

Part 3

En. Fadli alerted me to the need to search for more places for the early Malay manuscripts besides those in Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah's possession, Leiden and London. He mentioned Pusat Manuskrip Pustaka Negara Malaysia (PNM), Perpustakaan Pusat Islam, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). According to En. Fadli, the original text "Ilmu Tabib" that was reproduced by Muhammad Salleh Penambang is kept in DBP. Meanwhile, the text from Pattani which was reproduced by Mahmud Hj. Mohamad Terengganu is kept in PNM.

Part 4

En. Fadli mentioned that the story about medicine in Malacca by Tun Seri Lanang can be found in any standard textbook on Malay history. He said to search for stories about the war and the wounds suffered by Temenggong Seri Udani who was attended to by a tabib. He feels that many old folks may have forgotten the story. Moreover, tabib was not the focus of the war even though we are after the role of the tabib at this time and the fact that tabib did exist.

En. Fadli ended his e-mail. He said he still has a lot more information in store for sharing.

It is 1.03 am.

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Acknowledgement

Peribahasa Melayu

The Malays used the concepts of balance and gravity in normal conversation, for example, "Bagai telur di hujung tanduk" and "Meludah ke langit jatuh ke muka sendiri". These peribahasa can be searched online at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), UKM portal.

Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), UKM

(Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu or ATMA)

Has a web portal and offers an interactive CD

The Malay World Studies portal is at www.malaycivilization.com (set up in 1999)

The Malay World Database is called Padat

Part 1

Physical structures (a road and a building) named after Dr. Abdul Latiff.

Dr. Abdul Latiff's granddaughter is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap in UKM.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap
Dept of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Malaysia
E-mail: norsidah@mail.hukm.ukm.my
Tan Sri Yaacob Latiff is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norsidah A Manap's uncle.
Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak was her grandfather.

Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Razak (1885? - 1958)

When and where was Dr. Abdul Latiff born exactly?

En. Fadli estimated circa 1885 based on his entry into the Singapore Medical School in 1905.

He started education at Sekolah Melayu Kelang (now spelled Klang) in 1892.

He completed Primary 7 (Junior Cambridge) in 1900.

He did Senior Cambridge at Victoria Institution (VI), High Street, Kuala Lumpur until 1904.

He joined the 23 students who entered The Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, Singapore in 1905.

He obtained the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS) in 1911.

He was probably the first Malay doctor to graduate from the Medical School.

The family of Dr. Abdul Latiff could have probably originated from Kelang.

His father, Abdul Razak, was a territorial chief (penghulu).

Dr. Abdul Latiff was the eldest son of Abdul Razak.

Dr. Abdul Latiff lived in Kuala Lumpur after returning from Singapore.

After graduation, Dr. Abdul Latiff served as a medical assistant in General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (GHKL)(now HKL).

His medical degree was recognised by the General Medical Council of Great Britain in 1916, after which he served as a medical officer in GHKL.

Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Majid Ismail (ex-Chief Director of Health Malaysia) had received treatment from Dr. Abdul Latiff in GHKL in 1937.

Dr. Abdul Latiff probably continued to work in GHKL until late 1930s and even up to the time when WW2 occurred.

At the time Dr. Abdul Latiff received the Jubilee Gift Award in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of VI in 1954, he was already retired from GHKL.

He died in 1958 but the exact date in unknown.

One of Dr. Abdul Latiff's son is Tan Sri Yaacob Latiff who was the first Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur (first mayor of KL). In 1958, Tan Sri Yaacob organised the Latiff Shield, a charity fund for debate in honour of his father.

The other son of Dr. Abdul Latiff is Encik A Manap Latiff who is Assoc. Prof. Norsidah's father.

Part 2

Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah was the grandson of Tuan Guru Haji Wan Ahmad Mohd. Zain, a Malay doctor in Mekah. See Search 8 re Sheikh Wan Ahmad bin Wan Muhammad Zain al-Fathani (1856-1908).

Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah possesses many Malay manuscripts about medicine but he is unsure whether they were written by doctors or non-doctors.

En. Fadli's house is adjacent to Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah's house. He has briefly met Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah at the mosque. He will try and meet up with Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah.

Traditional books

It has been a tradition among the early Malay ulamak to write manuscripts and books with Arabic titles but Malay contents. These include Kitab Kuning, Taj as-Salatin, Silalatus Salatin, Bustanus Salatin, and other books on Malay politics.

Part 3

Need to search many other places for the early Malay manuscripts:

Ustaz Wan Mohd. Saghir Abdullah's possession

Leiden

London

Pusat Manuskrip Pustaka Negara Malaysia (PNM)

Perpustakaan Pusat Islam

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)

Where the early Malay medical books are kept:

The original "Ilmu Tabib" is kept in DBP. It was reproduced by Muhammad Salleh Penambang.

The original text from Pattani is kept in PNM. It was reproduced by Mahmud Hj. Mohamad Terengganu.

Part 4

The Tun Seri Lanang story can be found in any standard textbook on Malay history. Search for stories about the war > wounds suffered by Temenggong Seri Udani > which tabib attended to him. Many old folks may have forgotten the story. But it is a fact that a royal tabib existed at the time of the Malacca-Portuguese war in 1511.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 16

SEARCH 16

4 May 2005

The 16th search is to scrutinise a fifth e-mail sent to me on 7 March 2005 by En. Mohd. Fadli Ghani from Kuala Lumpur. This is a short e-mail. The subject read "Doktor Melayu Pertama". En. Fadli apologised if he was intruding. He asked if I was busy or marking papers.

I am not marking any papers right now but I will be on 10-11 May 2005. I will be marking an essay for the Professional 1 exam for first year medical students. So I will be very busy then. It is 1.10 am now.

Photos of Jalan Dr. Latiff in HKL and Blok Dr. Latiff in UNISEL

En. Fadli has attached 2 series of photos to his e-mail. One series is Jalan Dr. Latiff in HKL and the other is Blok Dr. Latiff in UNISEL, Shah Alam, Selangor.

Prof. Lokman Shamsudin

He is the Dean, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, UNISEL.

E-mail: lokman@unisel.edu.my

His office is in the administrative block.

En. Fadli feels maybe Prof. Lokman can help to access information re Dr. Abdul Latiff.

It is 1.20 am.

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Acknowledgement

Photos of Jalan Dr. Latiff in HKL and Blok Dr. Latiff in UNISEL

En. Fadli has attached 2 series of photos to his e-mail: Jalan Dr. Latiff in HKL and Blok Dr. Latiff in UNISEL, Shah Alam, Selangor.

Prof. Lokman Shamsudin

Dean, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences. UNISEL.

E-mail: lokman@unisel.edu.my

Tel: 03-55223424

His office is in the administrative block.

Prof. Lokman maybe able to help to access information re Dr. Abdul Latiff.

---

Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 17

SEARCH 17

4 May 2005

The 17th search is to scrutinise a sixth e-mail sent to me on 8 March 2005 by En. Mohd. Fadli Ghani from Kuala Lumpur. This is another short e-mail. The subject read "Doktor Melayu Pertama". It is 1.22 am.

En. Fadli asked if I had contacted Prof. Lokman. He  provided Prof. Lokman's phone number.

Prof. Lokman Shamsudin

Dean

Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences

UNISEL.

E-mail: lokman@unisel.edu.my

Tel: 03-55223424

Bingkisan Merdeka

This is a book published in 1957 to commemorate our Independence celebration. Inside the book is recorded an address of one of the contributors which mentioned "Asrama Dr. Latiff".

Exact location of Asrama Dr. Latiff

However, En. Fadli still cannot locate Asrama Dr. Latiff. It could be anywhere, possibly in KL, Kampung Baru, HKL or Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz.

The ones commonly heard are Jalan Yaakob Latiff which lies in front of Hospital UKM (HUKM) and Sekolah Menengah Yaakob Latif in Kampung Pandan.

Birth place of Dr. Abdul Latiff

En. Fadli is postive that Dr. Abdul Latiff was born and grew up in Kelang. A school teacher, Cikgu Tuan Syed Syaidali admitted that Dr. Abdul Latif studied at Victoria Institute (VI) with him. Dr. Latiff had commuted daily between KL and Kelang.

Professor JS Cheah

NUS

E-mail: mdccjs@nus.edu.sg

Fax: 02-67794112

En. Fadli wanted me to get in touch with Professor Cheah for further information concerning Dr. Abdul Latiff and the other early Malay doctors. I had e-mailed Professor Cheah.

  

En. Fadli ended his e-mail by listing these:

1. He will append some books which he considered 'must read' in order to get the real story about the Medical School, Singapore
2. He has accessed some Malay medical books in PNM, Pusat Dokumentasi Melayu DBP, and Pustaka Nasional Republik Indonesia.
3. He has not accessed books in Khazanah Fathaniyah.
   
   

It is 1.49 am. It is very chilly now.

---

Acknowledgement

Prof. Lokman Shamsudin

Dean, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences. UNISEL.

E-mail: lokman@unisel.edu.my

Tel: 03-55223424

His office is in the administrative block.

Prof. Lokman may be able to help to access information re Dr. Abdul Latiff.

Book: "Bingkisan Merdeka"

This book was published in 1957 to commemorate our Merdeka. It records an address of one of the contributors as "Asrama Dr. Latiff". Who is this contributor?

Exact location of Asrama Dr. Latiff

En. Fadli still cannot locate Asrama Dr. Latiff. It could be anywhere, possibly in KL, Kampung Baru, HKL or Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz.

Birth place of Dr. Abdul Latiff

En. Fadli is postive that Dr. Abdul Latiff was born and grew up in Kelang. Dr. Latiff commuted daily between KL and Kelang.

Cikgu Tuan Syed Syaidali (Captain Syed Syaidali)

He was an ex-VI and better known as Captain Syed Syaidali. He was a school teacher. Cikgu Tuan Syed Syaidali admitted that Dr. Abdul Latif studied at Victoria Institute (VI) with him.

Professor JS Cheah

NUS

E-mail: mdccjs@nus.edu.sg

Fax: 02-67794112

En. Fadli wanted me to get in touch with Professor Cheah for further information concerning Dr. Abdul Latiff and the other early Malay doctors. I had e-mailed Professor Cheah.

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (PNM)

Pusat Dokumentasi Melayu DBP

Puan Rahemah Ahmad. Editor DBP. Bangunan DBP, KL

Pustaka Nasional Republik Indonesia

No contact person identified.

Khazanah Fathaniyah

Khazanah Fathaniyah is a research and study centre of the Pattani ulama' led by Ustaz Wan Muhammad Saghir Wan Abdullah, grandson of Syeikh Wan Ahmad Muhammad Zain al-Fathani (1856-1908).

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 18

SEARCH 18

4 May 2005

The 18th search is to scrutinise a seventh e-mail sent to me on 8 March 2005 by En. Mohd. Fadli Ghani from Kuala Lumpur. This is another short e-mail. The subject read "Asrama Doktor Latiff (ADL)". It is 1.51 am.

Asrama Dr. Latiff

En. Fadli has attached a photograph of students in Asrama Dr. Latiff (ADL) 1985 - 1989. The ADL has been destroyed to make way for the construction of the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

The ADL was a hostel for full-time students. It was located in Jalan Gurney, KL. It was under the administration of Yayasan Selangor, which also administered Kolej Industri Selangor (Inspen). Inspen was upgraded to become UNISEL.

Cikgu Abdul Ghani Yatim

He can provide more information re ADL. He was ex-BN candidate 1999 in DUN Gombak Setia vs. YB Datuk Ismail Kamus. He was ex-Penguasa ADL around 1975-1980.

It is 2.01 am.

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Acknowledgement

Asrama Dr. Latiff

En. Fadli has attached a photograph of students in Asrama Dr. Latiff (ADL) 1985 - 1989.

The ADL was demolished to make way for the construction of the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

The ADL was a hostel for full-time students. It was located in Jalan Gurney, KL. It was under the administration of Yayasan Selangor, which also administered Kolej Industri Selangor (Inspen). Inspen was upgraded to become UNISEL.

Cikgu Abdul Ghani Yatim

He can provide more information re ADL. He was ex-BN candidate 1999 in DUN Gombak Setia vs. YB Datuk Ismail Kamus. He was ex-Penguasa ADL around 1975-1980.

---

Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 19

SEARCH 19

4 May 2005

The 19th search is to scrutinise an article on the Internet entitled "The Reminiscences of Tuan Syed Shaidali" at http://viweb.freehosting.net/vir_Shaida.htm . I had accessed the site and printed only the first page on 8 March 2005. I am working on this 1 page offline. It is 8.20 pm.

Tuan Syed Shaidali (1891-1967)

Attended VI between May 1989-December 1908. He attended VI about the time Dr. Abdul Latiff did.

It is 8.24 pm.

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Acknowledgement

Internet article: "The Reminiscences of Tuan Syed Shaidali" at http://viweb.freehosting.net/vir_Shaida.htm . I had accessed the site and printed only the first page on 8 March 2005.

Tuan Syed Shaidali (1891-1967)

He attended VI between May 1989-December 1908. He attended VI about the time Dr. Abdul Latiff did.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Search 20

SEARCH 20

4 May 2005

The 20th search is to scrutinise a surprise short reply e-mail sent to me  by Professor Cheah Jin Seng from NUS on 9 March 2005. The subject read "RE: old Malay doctors". He thanked me for my e-mail. It is 8.29 pm.

Professor Cheah Jin Seng

NUS

E-mail: mdccjs@nus.edu.sg

Fax: 02-67794112

JS Cheah. Approaching 100 Years of Medical and University in Singapore. Singapore Med J. 2003. Vol. 44(1):1-3. Download article from http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4401/4401e1.pdf 

According to Professor Cheah, information concerning the graduates of the Medical College, Singapore for the past 100 years is contained in a newly published book by the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), NUS. This book "To Sail Uncharted Seas" is available for S$60. I will need to write to the Dean, FOM, NUS for a copy.

Book: "To Sail Uncharted Seas" (2005; S$60)

A newly published book by the FOM, NUS. It is priced at S$60. Write to the Dean, FOM, NUS for a copy.

Dean

Faculty of Medicine, NUS

Book: "To Sail Uncharted Seas" is priced at S$60.

USM Health Campus Library, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

I have asked our library to purchase a copy.

Professor Cheah was unsure where I can find graduates of Raffles College. He suggested NUS, Archives of National Board or National Heritage Board of Singapore may be able to help.

He thanked me again.

It is 8.46 pm.

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Acknowledgement

Professor Cheah Jin Seng

NUS

E-mail: mdccjs@nus.edu.sg

Fax: 02-67794112

Internet article: JS Cheah. Approaching 100 Years of Medical and University in Singapore. Singapore Med J. 2003. Vol. 44(1):1-3. Download article from http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4401/4401e1.pdf 

He mentioned information concerning the graduates of the Medical College, Singapore for the past 100 years is contained in a newly published book by the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), NUS. This book "To Sail Uncharted Seas" is available for S$60. I will need to write to the Dean, FOM, NUS for a copy.

Book: "To Sail Uncharted Seas" (2005; S$60)

A newly published book by the FOM, NUS. It is priced at S$60. Write to the Dean, FOM, NUS for a copy.

Dean

Faculty of Medicine, NUS

Book: "To Sail Uncharted Seas" is priced at S$60.

Need complete address.

USM Health Campus Library, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

I have asked our library to purchase a copy of the book "To Sail Uncharted Seas" 2005 (S$60) from Dean, FOM, NUS.

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Telehealth Research Group
http://www.medic.usm.my/rnd/~telehealth
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia