K. R. Somasundram
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Tan Sri Dato K.R. Somasundram (born 13 March 1930) is a predominant Malaysian businessman and philanthropist.
Born in Teluk Intan, Malaysia in 1930, he was the son of a grocer who gained prominence in Malaysian politics and business, as well as being a fighter for the independence of India.
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[edit] Indian liberation
Somasundram attained basic education but this was interrupted with the advent of World War 2. He joined the Indian National Army at the age of 14 ( two years under the age limit), against the wishes of his father. He trained at the Tanjung Rambutan Training Camp and his exemplary form gained him Executive rank by the age of 20. He was thus posted at the Azad School in Singapore for Combatant Training. He later trained recruits at the school. Upon the death of Subash Chandra Bose in 1945, he left the I.N.A and returned to Malaysia. [Doubtful, as the years do not make sense.]
[edit] Political years
Upon returning to Malaysia, Somasundram worked at Bukit Sidim Estate in Kedah and by 1962 became the Estate Manager, one of the first non British to be in such a position. His tenure for the INA lead him to stand for the causes of the usually lower incomed Indians in Malaysia. He became Vice Chairman of the Malaysian Indian Congress Kedah Branch and a member of the National Central Working Committee. In 1967 he was elected as Senator of Kedah. Part of his role was to represent the Malaysian Government in the 1968 UN General Assembly.
[edit] Social influence
In 1960 Tun V.T. Sambanthan, leader of the Malaysian Indian Congress touted the idea of a social co-operative to help plantation workers during the British land sell off. Tun Sambanthan and Somasundram worked closely to purchase their first estate at Bukit Sidim in that same year. The co-operative was later called National Land and Finance Co-operative Society (NLFCS). Somasundram has since taken over the Chairmanship of the company upon the death of Tun Sambanthan and is still actively involved in the co-operative. He is also a strong advocate for Tamil rights in Malaysia, funding forums and research in to the language and culture. Somasundram is noted for his generosity towards NLFCS staff as well as his devotion to his religion, having funded numerous temples throughout Malaysia and South India.
[edit] NLFCS
Today NLFCS has 19 estates totalling 35,000 acres, as well as investments in Palm Oil, Property and Banking. Somasundram is currently Chairman of NLFCS.
[edit] Honours and achievements
Due to his contribution to society Somasundram has been honoured on numerous occasions. In 1965 he received the AMN (equivalent to the British MBE), a Justice of the Peace (JP) in 1971, a Datoship in 1988 as well as being conferred a PSM, bearing the title 'Tan Sri' in 1996. He is also an honorary Indian citizen as well as being conferred a Doctorate by the University of Newcastle, Australia. Somasundram is also the first Indian Chairman of a floated firm in Malaysia ( Premium Nutrients, Bursa Malaysia).
In 2007 he was awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the president of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
[edit] Family life
As well as being an advocate for religion and culture, he is a regular public speaker on family life and this is reflected in the nature of his family, having been married for 50 years with 6 children and 13 grand children.
