Eusoffe Abdoolcader

Eusoffe Abdoolcader (11 September 1924– 11 January 1996) was a Malaysian judge of the Federal Court from 1974 to 1988. Eusoffe was a respected lawyer and Supreme Court judge, remembered by his peers and juniors as perhaps the greatest judge Malaysia had seen.^[1]

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Eusoffe Abdoolcader
Judge of the Supreme Court of Malaysia
In office 1974–1988
Personal details
Born	Eusoffe Abdoolcader (1924-09-11)11 September 1924
Died	11 January 1996(1996-01-11) (aged 71) Taman Jesselton, George town, Penang
Spouse	Haseenah
Parent	Sir Husein Hasanally Abdoolcader (father)
Alma mater	Penang Free School, University College London
Profession	Barrister, Judge

Education

At the age of 15, he passed his Senior Cambridge examinations with distinctions but he was too young to gain access to Raffles College in Singapore, which stipulated a minimum age of 17. He repeated his examinations and finally with his father's influence gained a seat at Raffles. He alleged that he was 'ragged' by Lee Kuan Yew.^[2]

Eusoffe studied law at University College London, graduating with an LL.B. First Class Honours.^[3]

Legacy

As an advocate at the Bar, Abdoolcader was unsurpassed in his knowledge of the law and unmatchable in his advocacy, earning him a reputation as a formidable opponent.^[3] Lawyers and laymen alike were awed by his brilliance and his intellectual prowess, which he defused only by his dry sense of humour.

Personal life

His father, Sir Husein Hasanally Abdoolcader, was a prominent lawyer, community leader and politician. Husein was a member of the Straits Settlements' Legislative Council and a member of the Advisory Council to the Governor of the Malayan Union. Husein also made a name for himself in the Straits Settlement as the first Malayan Indian to be knighted by King George VI in 1948.^[4] Eusoffe was married to Haseenah.

Death

On 11 January 1996, following the death of his wife, Eusoffe committed suicide in his Taman Jesselton home.^[4]

Honours

• Malaysia
  • Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1966)
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) - Tan Sri (1984)
• Penang
  • Companion of the Order of the Defender of State (DMPN) - Dato’
• Perak
  • Knight of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (DPCM) - Dato’ (1979)^[5]
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (SPMP) - Dato’ Seri (1986)^[6]
• Kelantan
  • Recipient of the Order of the Most Distinguished and Most Valiant Warrior (PYGP) (1995)