The Life Saving Society Malaysia (LSSM) announced with sadness to ILS the death of Honorary Life President, Tun Dr. Hamdan Sheikh Tahir, on January 20.

Tun Dr. Hamdan was LSSM President from 1976 to 1989. During his term of office, the LSSM made great strides in teaching and spreading the message of life saving to school children and the public. It was during his tenure that the title Royal Life Saving Society Malaysia Branch’ (then a branch of the UK Royal Life Saving Society) was changed to the present LSSM.

An educationist at heart, he was a teacher who became Director General of the Education Ministry for 10 years from 1966. He was then made Vice Chancellor of the Science University Malaysia for 6 years from 1976. After leaving the University, he became the ambassador at the UNESCO offfice in Paris with the rank of High Commissioner from 1982 – 1985. In 1989, he was made the Governor of Penang and hence had to relinquish his Presidency of LSSM to attend to State matters. He was Governor of Penang from 1989 -1997.

In spite of his busy schedules, he was always active in life saving matters and many, especially in the Commonwealth, would remember him and his wife who were always keen to accompany and lead other LSSM members to numerous life saving meetings all over the globe. Although he was unwell during the last few months, he still managed to join the LSSM at our 40th Anniversary dinner and awards night in August last year. He will be missed as a very humble man with strong principles who always had time for friends in the life saving fraternity.

ILS passes its condolences to the family and the Life Saving Society Malaysia.