Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock Succeeded by Ong Eng Guan Preceded by Newly Created Name Abdul bin | Succeeded by Toh Chin Chye Died 1978, Singapore Preceded by Francis Thomas Education Raffles Institution | |
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Chief Minister David Saul Marshall
Lim Yew Hock Political party Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura | ||
Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumad (Jawi: عبدالحميد بن حاج جومت; April 12, 1916 – 1978) was a member of Singapore Legislative Assembly of Malay ethnicity. He was credited as "Singapore's first Malay minister", as well as the "first Singaporean ambassador to Germany". He founded the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in Singapore. He served as Deputy Chief Minister in Lim Yew Hock's cabinet. He also served as Minister of Local Government, Lands and Housing, as well as Minister of Communications and Works.
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Early and personal life
Abdul was born April 12, 1916 in Singapore. His father was Haji T. P. Jumat, and his mother was M. Datin Kartini. He attended Raffles Institution.
Abdul had seven children. His youngest child, Putra Haron Jumat (born 1963), is a Malaysian politician who is a member of Barisan Nasional. During his political career, Abdul was an acquaintance with Lee Kuan Yew, although they were not in the same political party.
Career
Abdul first started out as a skins exporter with his own company until around 1955, when he founded the Singaporean division of UMNO (Abbreviation for the United Malays National Organisation.) Abdul was a member of political party Labour Front. Following David Marshall's rise to power as Chief Minister in 1955, Abdul was given the role of Minister for Local Government, Lands, and Housing, making him the first such minister; he was initially intended to be Minister of Communication and Works. Cited as "Singapore's first Malay minister", he carried the position until June 1959; Abdul subsequently became the "first Singaporean ambassador to Germany". He was ambassador to other countries too, such as Egypt, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. In addition, Abdul served as Deputy Chief Minister of Singapore from 1956 to 1959. Abdul was conferred the title of Dato' and the Order of the Defender of the Realm, rank Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm.
Death
In 1973, Abdul went back to Malaysia, where he lived most of his later life as ambassador to various countries. He died some five years later in 1978.