Tuesday, April 12, 2022

BABA AHMAD ROAD

CAPTAIN BABA AHMAD JP (Justice of the Peace) 1888 - 1967

Baba Ahmad Road – Off Vale of Tempe, Tanjung Bungah is named after my granddad in appreciation for his service to the people and the country.

Today, few may remember him, and all that he did for the community. Most have long gone, including my father. It is no surprise if the people living on the road, wonder who he was.  

Baba Ahmad served the government, and the people in different capacities under the British administration. His concern for the welfare of the people, especially the under-privileged, and years of dedicated service, earned him the name, 'Grand old man'. 

This accolade was well earned. Over the years, he initiated, and assisted in improvements to their health, living conditions, education, and recreation. These he performed honorably, during his tenure as the Medical Officer, Hospital Assistant, Captain of the former Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, President of the Government Pensioners’ Association, Justice of the Peace, nominated Member of the Rural District Council, Secretary of Penang Muslim Orphanage, and as active member of 20 Sports Clubs, and charitable organizations.


Acknowledged for his exemplary service to the Malay community, people of other races benefited equally.  Age caught up with him, and a minor accident compelled him to retire. Penang lost an irreplaceable son, who was known for his integrity, honesty, and humility. He was to the people, a role model of a caring citizen, a devoted family man, and a dedicated social worker.    

He completed his secondary education at the Penang Anglo-Chinese School. Here was where he became multi-lingual, and learned to write and speak fluently in English, Chinese, in addition to Malay, Hindi, and Tamil.

From 1912 to 1923, he worked as a Medical Officer at the Special Ward for European patients, and local patients, respectively. From 1924, he was appointed the Medical Officer/Hospital Assistant, at the Balik Pulau District Hospital, by the government, under the British administration (photo right).  As hospital administrator, he introduced preventive measures to curtail the spreading of several infectious diseases, that were common to the community. He was very popular with the multi-racial villagers. He persuasively changed their mindsets, to accept treatment via Western medicine.

Picture below (The government house, where he lived).
  

The Second World War came, and Malaya was invaded by Japan. The house became barracks for Japanese soldiers.

During the Japanese occupancy, like most people, life became a living nightmare for him, and his family. He lost everything he owned, and struggled to fend for his family. Food was scarce, and many were undernourished, and starved. People he knew were  taken away, and many disappeared without a trace.  

When war ended, and the British returned to Malaya, he operated a government dispensary at Buckingham Street, in George Town.   

Justice of the Peace 

People frequented his home for advice, favors, signatures, food, money. He helped without gain or reward.

Honored posthumously by the government
An exemplary exhibition of his journals, diaries, photos, records of his achievements and contributions to the community were displayed for public viewing at 
Penang Museum. The words inscribed "Captain Baba Ahmed, JP,  ...respected...dedicated...served the community tirelessly" moved me to tears, but on this day, the tears I shed were of pride and joy. It pleased me to know that he is remembered and honored by the people and the country.  

Below, an excerpt of the eulogy, published by a local newspaper, Straits Echo on 30 March, 1967

‘GRAND OLD MAN’ of Malay community dies.
One of the few remaining grand old men of the Penang Malay community died yesterday.  He was Captain Baba Ahmad bin Ahmed, aged 78.

Capt. Baba Ahmad, who had been suffering from a prolonged illness, succumbed at about noon yesterday at his Jalan Bunga Cempaka home, Bukit Glugor.

A retired Government’s Hospital Assistant, Capt. Baba Ahmad had been in the forefront of the Penang Malay community, having served and associated with numerous Malay bodies.

He retained his commission as Captain of the former Straits Settlements Volunteer Force of which he served as Commanding Officer of the “C” Malay Company in 1931.

Appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1951, the late Capt. Baba Ahmad, served as Secretary of Penang Muslim Orphanage for 5 years since 1945.  

He was President of the Government Pensioners’ Association from 1957 to 1962.  An active sportsman in his younger days, the late Capt. Baba Ahmad, was a member of more than 20 sports clubs, some of which are now defunct.

LAST SERVICE

His last service to the public was as a nominated member of the Rural District Council from 1952 – 1957.  In appreciation of his public services, the Government has named a new road in Tanjong Bungah (off Vale of Tempe Road) after him.”

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