Wong Ah Fook (1837-1918)

On 11.4.2014, the Johor government announced its intention to turn a 150-year-old mansion at Jalan Lumba Kuda in Johor Bahru into a heritage and cultural museum. On 30.4.2014 the mansion, located on a 2.5-acre private land valued at RM30 million, was demolished by its current owners on the grounds that it was "structurally unsafe". As the mansion was not gazetted as a heritage building, nothing could be legally done to stop the demolition except to penalize the owners for not having a permit to develop, renovate or demolish under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963.

Wong Ah Fook (c. 1900) (Source: National Museum of Singapore)

Wong Ah Fook's mansion at Jalan Lumba Kuda (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Watercolor painting of Wong Ah Fook's mansion by Taib Aur (Source: ppunlimited.blogspot.com)

Demolition process conducted on the account of it being structurally unsafe. (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Entire building reduced to debris. (Source: The Star Newspaper)

Wong Ah Fook, who once lived at the said mansion, was a well known businessman and philanthropist with business interests in Singapore as well as Johor. A classic rags-to-riches example of many successful Chinese immigrants, Wong came to Singapore in 1854 as an indentured labourer to a carpenter. After working for a year at nominal wages, Wong was free but continued to work with his employer and was given a share of the business after a few years.

He established himself in the constructions business and then ventured into agriculture, revenue farming, gambling, banking and land development. His hard work and enterprising spirit paid off, making him a successful, influential businessman who developed close links with the Johor Sultanate. He was appointed as the government contractor for the construction of many iconic buildings which includes Istana Bukit Zaharah & Balai Zaharah in 1858, Istana Besar Johor in 1866, and the Johor Bahru Prison in 1883. 

Aerial view of Istana Besar Johor taken by G.E. Livlock on 15.5.1924

Around 1885, Wong became a close friend of Fatimah Binti Abdullah (a.k.a. Wong Ah Gew), the third wife of Maharaja Abu Bakar (later Sultan Abu Bakar) probably on the account their common surname and their same dialect group. Wong was also the main contractor for Istana Tyersall in Singapore which he completed in 1892.

Photograph of Istana Tyersall taken by Dr. J. Baum & R. Baum on 21.11.1929.

In 1892, Wong was granted a 99-year lease for 10 lots of land by Sultan Abu Bakar on the east bank of Sungai Segget as a reward for his services. Named Kampung Wong Ah Fook, the main road in the kampung was named Jalan Wong Ah Fook, while three other smaller roads, namely Jalan Siu Nam, Jalan Siu Koon, and Jalan Siu Chin, were named after Wong's three eldest sons. The area became a prominent Cantonese-dominant area and is now the city centre of Johor Bahru, with all the four roads still existing today.  In 1904, Sultan Ibrahim I honoured Wong with pingat Setia Mahkota Johor (SMJ - Companion) in recognition of his services to the State.  

In Singapore, he was known as one of the original founders of the Kwong Wai Siew Chinese Hospital (now Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital). He was also appointed as a Justice of the Peace for the British Colonial Government.

Kwong Wai Siew Chinese Hospital c. 1920s (Ministry of Health, Singapore)

Wong's most ambitious undertaking and probably his proudest achievement was opening up the first Chinese bank in Singapore known as Kwong Yik Bank (literally means “Cantonese profiting bank”). The bank started its operation at 26 Kling Street in 1903. (Note: This bank is not to be confused with the 1913 Kwong Yik (Selangor) Banking Corporation which merged to form RHB Bank Berhad in 1997).

Kwong Yik Banking Company's office at Kling Street, Singapore, c. 1906 (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya, 1908)

Nevertheless, despite a paid-up capital of $850,000, the banking venture led to Wong's greatest disaster and brought him close to grief as it subsequently collapsed in November 1913 due to financial difficulties, resulting in a bank run. As a result, the British Colonial Government amended the Companies Bill in 1915 in order to safeguard the interests of depositors by restricting advances from banks to their directors and officers.

In August 1918, when severe Spanish Flu epidemic hit Singapore, Wong contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia, to which he succumbed. On 2.9.1918, Wong died at the age of 82 at his residence in Kampong Java Road, Singapore. He was buried at Peck San Theng Cantonese Cemetery. 

Sources:

1) National Library Board, Singapore.

2) National Museum of Singapore.

3) Trustees of Wong Ah Fook's Estate

4) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Ah_Fook

5) 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources" Arnold Wright, H. A. Cartwright, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd., 1908. 

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu

Klip filem ini adalah dirakam semasa sambutan ketibaan Putera Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974), ke Tanah Melayu. Duke of Gloucester mewakili anak saudaranya iaitu Ratu Elizabeth untuk hadir di upacara Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu. Baginda diiringi Princess Alice (1901-2004) dan putera mereka Prince William (1941-1972). Rombongan DiRaja Britain tersebut membawa Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu (ڤمشهوران كمرديكاءن تانه ملايو) ("Instrument / Declaration of Independence").

Rombongan DiRaja Britain ini telah tiba di Pengkalan Udara Kuala Lumpur di Sungai Besi pada pukul 4 petang, 29.8.1957. 

Ketibaan Putera Henry telah disambut oleh Pesuruhjaya Tinggi British di Tanah Melayu, Sir Donald Charles MacGillivray dan Lady MacGillivray, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tanah Melayu yang pertama, Tuanku Abdul Rahman diiringi Raja Permaisuri Agong dan Perdana Menteri Tanah Melayu yang pertama, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Pada 30.8.1957 tepat pukul 12.00 tengah malam, upacara menurunkan bendera Union Jack telah diadakan di Padang Kelab Selangor bagi menandakan berakhirnya lebih kurang 170 tahun penjajahan British di Tanah Melayu. Bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu telah dinaikkan bagi menggantikan bendera Union Jack.

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu tersebut diperbuat berdasarkan penguatkuasaan 'Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957' iaitu sebuah Akta yang diluluskan oleh Parlimen British dan mendapat perkenan Ratu Elizabeth pada 31.7.1957. Ianya adalah kesinambungan dari Perjanjian Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948 yang merupakan hasil dari penentangan terhadap Malayan Union oleh kesatuan-kesatuan Melayu di bawah pimpinan Dato' Onn Jaafar. Ianya ditulis dalam dua bahasa iaitu Bahasa Melayu dengan menggunakan tulisan Jawi, dan juga dalam Bahasa Inggeris. 

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu yang kini dipamirkan di Muzium Negara (Sumber: Wikipedia)

Salinan Permasyhuran Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu cetakan 1957 milik Tuan Hj. Mohd Azlan bin Dato Mohd Sharif (Rujukan: FB Azlan Sharif)

Disertakan di sini kandungan teks Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan tersebut:

دڠن نام الله يڠ مها ڤموره لاڬي مڠاسيهاني، سڬالا ڤوجي باڬي الله يڠ مها بركواس دان صلوات دان سلام ك اتس سكالين رسول-ڽ

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe and may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon His Messengers.

بهاواسڽ كران تله تيباله ماسڽ باڬي اومت ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو اين منچاڤأي تارف سواتو بڠسا يڠ مرديك لاڬي بردولت سام ستيمڤل كدودوكنڽ دڠن سڬالا بڠسا سلوروه دنيا

Whereas the time has now arrived when the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu will assume the status of a free independent and sovereign nation among nations of the World.

دان بهاواسڽ كران دڠن ڤرجنجين يڠ دسبوت نامڽ ڤرجنجين تانه ملايو تاهون 1957 يڠ دڤربوات انتارا دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين دڠن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج ملايو، مك، تله دڤرستوجوي بهاوا نڬري-نڬري ملايو، ايايت جوهر، ڤهڠ، نڬري سمبيلن، سلاڠور، قدح، ڤرليس، كلنتن، ترڠڬانو، دان ڤراق سرتا نڬري يڠ دهولوڽ ديناماكن نڬري سلت، ايايت ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ، مولاي 31 هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون 1957، هندقله منجادي سبواه ڤرسكوتوان بهارو باڬي نڬري-نڬري يڠ برنام ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو

And whereas by an agreement styled the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States it was agreed that the Malay States of Johor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak and the former Settlements of Malacca and Penang should as from the 31st day of August, 1957, be formed into a new Federation of States by the name of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.

دان بهاواسڽ كران تله برستوجو ڤولا انتارا كدوا-دوا ڤيهق دالم ڤرجنجين ترسبوت، ايايت ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ هندقله درڤد تاريخ ترسبوت ايت تمت درڤد منجادي سباهاڬين درڤد ججاهن تعلوق بڬيندا قوين، دان دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين تيدق لاڬي برحق منجالنكن اڤا٢ كدولتن بڬيندا ك اتس كدوا-دوا بواه نڬري يڠ ترسبوت ايت

And whereas it was further agreed between the parties to the said agreement that the Settlements of Malacca and Penang aforesaid should as from the said date cease to form part of Her Majesty’s dominions and that Her Majesty should cease to exercise any sovereignty over them.

دان بهاواسڽ كران تله برستوجو ڤولا انتارا كدوا-دوا ڤيهق يڠ ترسبوت، ايايت ڤرجنجين ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تاهون 1948، دان سڬالا ڤرانجين يڠ لاين يڠ اد سكارڠ انتارا دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين دڠن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج اتاوڤون ساله سأورڠ درڤد بڬيندا ايت سبلوم تاريخ يڠ ترسبوت هندقله دبطلكن مولاي درڤد تاريخ ايت، دان سموا كوات كواس دان حق دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين اتاوڤون ڤرليمين نڬري اونيتد كيڠدوم دالم نڬري-نڬري سلت اتاوڤون ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو سلوروهنڽ اداله تمت دڠن سنديريڽ 

And whereas it was further agreed by the parties aforesaid that the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1948, and all other agreements subsisting between Her Majesty the Queen and Their Highnesses the Rulers or any one of them immediately before the said date should be revoked as from the date and that all powers and jurisdiction of Her Majesty or of the Parliament of the United Kingdom in or in respect of the Settlements aforesaid or the Malay States or the Federation as a whole should come.

دان بهاواسڽ كران دولي يڠ مها مليا بڬيندا قوين، دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج ملايو، ڤرليمين نڬري اونيتد كيڠدوم دان مجليس-مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان دان نڬري-نڬري ملايو تله ملولوسكنڽ، ڤرجنجين ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تاهون 1957 ايت برجالن كوات كواساڽ

And whereas effect has been given to the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957, by Her Majesty the Queen, Their Highnesses the Rulers, the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Legislatures of the Federation and of the Malay States.

دان بهاواسڽ كران سواتو ڤرلمباڬان باڬي كراجأن ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو تله دتنتوكن منجادي سواتو كانون يڠ معتمد باڬيڽ

And whereas a constitution for the Government of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu has been established as the supreme law thereof.

دان بهاواسڽ كران ڤرلمباڬان ڤرسكوتوان يڠ ترسبوت ايت، مك، اد دسدياكن شرط اونتوق منجاڬ كسلامتن حق-حق دان كاوتامأن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج سرتا حق-حق اساسي دان كبيبسن سكالين رعيت دان اونتوق مماجوكن ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو دڠن امان دان داماي سرتا تراتور سباڬاي سبواه كراجأن يڠ ممڤوڽاءي راج يڠ برڤرلمباڬان يڠ برداسركن ديموكراسي چارا ڤرليمين

And whereas by the Federal Constitution aforesaid provision is made to safeguard the rights and prerogatives of Their Highnesses the Rulers and the fundamental rights and liberties of the people and to provide for the peaceful and orderly advancement of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu as a constitutional monarchy based on Parliamentary democracy.

دان بهاواسڽ كران ڤرلمباڬان ڤرسكوتوان يڠ داداكن اوليه مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان يڠ ترسبوت ايت تله دلولوسكن اوليه سواتو اوندڠ-اوندڠ يڠ داداكه اوليه مجليس اوندڠن ڤرسكوتوان سرتا دڠن اوندڠ-اوندڠ يڠ داداكن اوليه نڬري-نڬري ملايو دان دڠن كتتڤن-كتتڤن دالم مجليس اوندڠن نڬري ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ، دڠن دمكين ڤرلمباڬان ايت تله برجالن كوات كواساڽ ڤد 31 هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون 1957

And whereas the Federal Constitution aforesaid having been approved by an Ordinance of the Federal Legislatures, by the Enactments of the Malay States and by resolutions of the Legislatures of Malacca and Penang has come into force on the 31st day of August 1957, aforesaid.

مك، دڠن نام الله يڠ مها ڤموره لاڬي مها مڠاسيهاني، ساي تونكو عبدالرحمن ڤوترا ابن المرحوم سلطان عبدالحميد حاليم شه، ڤردان منتري باڬي ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو، دڠن ڤرستوجوان دان ڤركنن دولي-دولي يڠ مها مليا راج-راج نڬري-نڬري ملايو دڠن اين ممشهوركن دان مڠيشتهاركن باڬي ڤيهق اومت ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو بهاوا مولاي تيڬ ڤولوه ساتو هاري بولن اوڬوس تاهون سريبو سمبيلن راتوس ليما ڤولوه توجوه، مك ڤرسكوتوان تانه ملايو يڠ مڠاندوڠي نڬري جوهر، ڤهڠ، نڬري سمبيلن، سلاڠور، قدح، ڤرليس، كلنتن، ترڠڬانو، ڤراق، ملاك دان ڤولاو ڤينڠ دڠن ليمڤه رحمة الله سبحانه وتعالى اكن ككل منجادي سبواه نڬارا يڠ مرديك دان بردولت سرتا برداسركن كبيبسن دان كعاديلن دان سنتياس منجاڬ دان مڠوتاماكن كسجهترأن دان كسنتوسان رعيتڽ دان مڠكلكن كامانن انتارا سڬالا بڠسا

Now, In the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful, I Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, Prime Minister of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, with the concurrence and approval of Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States do hereby proclaim and declare on behalf of the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu that as from the thirty first day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty seven, the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu comprising the States of Johor, Pahang, Negeri Semblian, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Malacca and Penang is and with Allah’s blessing shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.

Lihat juga transliterasi Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan ke dalam Rumi.

Pemasyhuran Kemerdekaan ini telah dibaca oleh YAM Tunku semasa upacara bersejarah yang diadakan di Stadium Merdeka pada pukul 9:30 pagi, 31.8.1957, dihadapan lebih kurang 20,000 rakyat Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, Raja-Raja Melayu, pemimpin-pemimpin luar negara dan dif-dif kehormat yang lain. Secara asasnya, pemasyhuran ini mengesahkan penubuhan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu yang bebas merdeka, berdaulat, dan berasaskan sistem Demokrasi Berparlimen di bawah pentadbiran Raja Berpelembagaan.  Ianya menggantikan pemerintahan British terhadap sembilan negeri-negeri Melayu lindungan British (British Protectorate), dan juga menggantikan pemerintahan kolonial British (British Colony) terhadap dua Negeri-Negeri Selat iaitu Melaka dan Pulau Pinang. 

Di akhir pemasyhuran tersebut, YAM Tunku telah melaungkan ‘MERDEKA’ sebanyak tujuh kali, di mana laungan keramat tersebut telah disambut dengan bergemuruh oleh rakyat yang hadir. Bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu telah dinaikkan dengan iringan Lagu Kebangsaan Negaraku yang buat pertama kalinya diperdengarkan secara rasmi. Diikuti pula selepas itu dengan seruan azan sebagai simbolik lahirnya sebuah negara baru dan diikuti tembakan meriam seratus satu das.

Sumber:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayan_Declaration_of_Independence

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Merdeka

3. https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjanjian_Persekutuan_Tanah_Melayu_1948

4. https://ms.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemasyhuran_Kemerdekaan_Tanah_Melayu 

5. Imperial War Museums, UK.

Oldest Newspaper in Malaysia

The Malay Mail is the first daily newspaper published in the Federated Malay States, which made its debut on 1.12.1896. It had its first publishing office at a shophouse along Market Street (now Leboh Pasar Besar). It initially operated with secondhand printing machines bought from a Singapore paper which ceased operations earlier that year. Their shophouse was subsequently pulled down to make way for the Kuala Lumpur General Post Office at the corner of King Street and Market Street. (Picture 1).

Picture 1: Shophouses that existed prior to the construction of the Kuala Lumpur General Post Office. (Source: G.R
 Lambert & Co., c. 1897)

In terms of ownership, James Henry Matthews Robson (1870-1945) has always been dubbed as the founder of Malay Mail (Picture 2).  Robson Heights and Jalan Robson, an upscale area in the Seputeh neighbourhood of present-day Kuala Lumpur were named after him in honour of his role in the first daily newspaper, as well as his subsequent role as a member of the Federal Council of FMS.

Picture 2: James Henry Matthews Robson, c. 1907.

In 1900, Malay Mail changed its legal entity to a private limited company. In 1903, editorship was taken over by S.C. Yeomans, a Cambridge graduate, wherein the publishing office moved to Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak).  Robson held the post of a managing director. In 1906, the paper employed  F.M. Price, another Cambridge graduate, as an assistant to S.C. Yeomans.

Sometime in 1907, as readership grew, the company moved into four units of newly built shophouses along Java Street (Picture 3). Simultaneously, a new and larger printing machine was procured from England. 

Picture 3: Malay Mail Office at Java Street (Jalan Tun Perak) c. 1907.

It is interesting to note that according to an article by Walter Makepeace published in a 1908 book titled '20th Century Impressions of British Malaya', Malay Mail had a co-founder. A passage from the 1908 article states as follows:-

"The first editor was Mr. J.H.M. Robson, who was also part proprietor. His partner was a government official, who was so conscientious that he never either supplied an item of news or offered an opinion."

There is no direct evidence as to the identity of this conscientious and principled co-founder of Malay Mail. Nevertheless, the content of the 1908 article with regards to Robson's background and social circle gives some hint as to how the founders could have met:-

" Mr. James Henry Matthews Robson, formerly editor now managing director of the Malay Mail Press Company, is the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Robson, of Guildford, Surrey, and was born on May 8, 1870. In 1889 he went to Ceylon as a premium pupil on a tea estate, and later in the same year entered the service of the Selangor Government. During the succeeding seven years he was in charge of the sub-districts of Rawang and Sepang, acted as District Officer of Klang and Ulu Langat Districts, and in 1896, when he left the service, was Acting Collector of Land Revenue at Kuala Lumpur and Registrar of Titles for the whole State. He resigned his Government appointment in order to start the Malay Mail. He now carries on business as a land investment agent, chiefly on behalf of Towkay Loke Yew, the well-known Chinese millionaire. He has been a trustee of the Victoria Institution, a Visiting Justice at the gaol, and from 1905 to 1907 an unofficial member of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board. He is a committee member of the Hare School Endowment Fund and of the Lake Club. His name appears on two publications - "Selangor Laws, 1896," and "People in a Native State." He is an ardent motorist, and, socially, is a charming man to meet."

I believe that both of them may have served as trustees of Victoria Institution. It could not have been Sir William Hood Treacher or Sir John Picketsgill Rodger, as although both officials were instrumental in setting up Victoria Institution, they were still in the government service when Malay Mail was established in 1896.

To my mind, the only Selangor ex-government servant in 1896, with links to the supply of printing machines from Singapore, affiliation with the trustees of Victoria Institution, and direct connection to Towkay Loke Yew is none other than K. Thamboosamy Pillay (Picture 4).  I have written an earlier article on him [See: Kayaroganam Thamboosamy Pillay (1850-1902)].

Picture 4: Kayaroganam Thamboosamy Pillay, c. 1900s.

Based on their respective career path, Robson was in charge of the district of Rawang when Thamboosamy resigned from the Selangor government and went into partnership with Towkay Loke Yew in the Rawang Mining Concession in 1890. Robson also subsequently became a land investment agent for Towkay Loke Yew.

I believe that Malay Mail could probably be one of Thamboosamy's many ventures. Alternatively perhaps, as a moneylender, Thamboosamy could have provided the paper's initial funding entitling him to some form of lien or ownership claim over its shares. High initial capital would have been required as Malay Mail operated as a free lunchtime paper during its early years.

Further, besides Cambridge graduates Yeomans and Price, the remaining employees of the paper were mainly of Tamil origin. Specific mention is made by the 1908 article to a Tamil foreman by the name of T. Patmanabha Mudaliar who is recorded to be an exemplary employee who regarded the paper business as "a pet child of his own". 

As readership grew, the paper was able to finance its own operations. Due to its influential ownership, full support was obtained from the officials with regards to its journalistic independence. The 1908 article further states as follows:-

"It is interesting to note that although Malay Mail gives free utterance to criticism of the Government, the leading officials have always given the journal their support and maintained friendly relations with the gentlemen responsible for its production."

I believe such support would have been impossible without the great tact and judgment of Malay Mail's founders in dealing with the authorities. It is recorded that Thamboosamy regularly entertained officials and industry players at social functions held at his Batu Road residence (now Sekolah Kebangsaan (Lelaki) Jalan Batu) (Picture 5).

Picture 5: Luncheon party at K. Thamboosamy Pillay's residence at Batu Road (c. 1899).

I also believe that the reason why the 1908 article referred to the co-founder of Malay Mail in the past tense was because he had passed on at that stage. This suits the timeline of Thamboosamy's passing in 1902.

Robson never reveal the existence of any other founder of Malay Mail but himself. In his 1934 book titled 'Records and Recollections 1889-1934', Robson disclosed A.K.E. Hampshire and later D.E. Hampshire as his subsequent co-directors, each with minimal financial interest in the company. 

Nevertheless it is interesting to note that in his 1934 book, Robson describes Thamboosamy's exemplary character with high degree of personal affinity, especially on the issue of his generosity in granting financial help to his friends:-

" Socially Thamboosamy was a leading light at the Selangor Club. He was almost an institution in himself. In later years he was keenly involved in racing : an interest inherited by his sons, one of whom is still with us. Thamboosamy's bank account must have been depleted more than once to help a friend in difficulties. A curry tiffin at his house on the Batu Road was something to remember. Racial distinctions were unknown in the early days. Thamboosamy was just as popular with Europeans as with other races. His position in the community was at the top of the ladder."

Perhaps the only way to be certain of this supposition is if we are able to locate and examine the company's records as it stood in 1900. This would reveal the co-founder's interest which would be represented in a form of share ownership or a charge over its assets.  Be that as it may, such endeavour would probably be an uphill task as most of the company's records were destroyed during World War II and during the Japanese management of the paper under their own title "Malai Sinpo".  Robson himself was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army and died sometime in 1945 as a prisoner of war in Singapore.

Sources:

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_Mail

2. http://epaper.mmail.com.my/2016/12/16/it-began-with-robson/

3. Bygone Selangor: A Souvenir (1922), Rimba. 

4. 'Records and Recollections 1889-1934' (1934), J.H.M. Robson.

5. "Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources" Arnold Wright & H. A. Cartwright, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd., 1908.