Kontek Kamariah Ahmad
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Kontek Kamariah scored many “firsts” for women in the co-operative movement, education and politics in Malaysia. She died on August 17, 2006 at the age of 95.
Born in Kampung Seputih here on Aug 5, 1911, Kamariah was educated at a Malay school in her village and then the Methodist Girls School where she emerged as the first Malay girl to pass the Senior Cambridge examination in 1928.
Her father was businessman-politician Ahmad Panglima Garang Ishak.
She had her teacher training at the Victoria Institution
before she was made supervisor of Malay schools in Selangor
in 1932-45 and 1948-56 – the first woman to hold the post.
She also excelled in the cooperative movement and was the chairman of the Co-op Union of Malaya (now Malaysia) – the only woman to hold the post.
In 1948, when teachers could not get loans, she helped set up the Selangor Co-op and Thrift and Loans Society. She later helped set up the Selangor Government Officers Housing Co-operative which built a housing project in 1954 and named it Taman Kamariah in her honour.
For her contributions to the cooperative movement, she was awarded a British Empire medal.
In politics, she was active in UMNO's Kaum Ibu wing, the forerunner of Wanita Umno, and served as Kampung Baru
branch secretary and Gombak Setia Umno committee member. She was also active in Pertiwi, an Islamic women's activist group.
The Sultan of Selangor
appointed her as Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya (a traditional title for a native overlord) for the Gombak
district in 1979 – the first woman so honoured.
She served in the Selayang Municipal Council for two years from August 2000.
In 1996, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
conferred on her the Panglima Setia Mahkota, which carries the title Tan Sri.
Kamariah is survived by a son and a daughter.
Born in Kampung Seputih here on Aug 5, 1911, Kamariah was educated at a Malay school in her village and then the Methodist Girls School where she emerged as the first Malay girl to pass the Senior Cambridge examination in 1928.
Her father was businessman-politician Ahmad Panglima Garang Ishak.
She had her teacher training at the Victoria Institution
Victoria Institution
Victoria Institution is a premier secondary school for boys and one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The school is widely known as V.I. and a student of Victoria Institution bears the name Victorian....
before she was made supervisor of Malay schools in Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
in 1932-45 and 1948-56 – the first woman to hold the post.
She also excelled in the cooperative movement and was the chairman of the Co-op Union of Malaya (now Malaysia) – the only woman to hold the post.
In 1948, when teachers could not get loans, she helped set up the Selangor Co-op and Thrift and Loans Society. She later helped set up the Selangor Government Officers Housing Co-operative which built a housing project in 1954 and named it Taman Kamariah in her honour.
For her contributions to the cooperative movement, she was awarded a British Empire medal.
In politics, she was active in UMNO's Kaum Ibu wing, the forerunner of Wanita Umno, and served as Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru is a Malay enclave in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.It is also one of the most valuable tracts of land in the capital and is estimated to be worth up to US$1.4 billion...
branch secretary and Gombak Setia Umno committee member. She was also active in Pertiwi, an Islamic women's activist group.
The Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor is the title of the constitutional ruler of Selangor, Malaysia.-Bugis bloodline:The Sultans of Selangor are descended from a Bugis dynasty that claim descent from the rulers of Luwu in the southern part of Celebes...
appointed her as Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya (a traditional title for a native overlord) for the Gombak
Gombak
Gombak is a district located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The district was created on February 1, 1974, the same day when Kuala Lumpur was declared a Federal Territory. Until 1997, Rawang was the district capital; the capital has been moved to Bandar Baru Selayang. Gombak borders Kuala...
district in 1979 – the first woman so honoured.
She served in the Selayang Municipal Council for two years from August 2000.
In 1996, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
conferred on her the Panglima Setia Mahkota, which carries the title Tan Sri.
Kamariah is survived by a son and a daughter.