Eusoffe Abdoolcader

Eusoffe Abdoolcader (18 September 1924– 11 January 1996) was a Malaysian judge of the Federal Court from 1974 to 1988. Eusoffe, was one of five senior judges suspended during the 1988 judicial crisis, was a respected lawyer and Supreme Court judge, remembered by his peers and juniors as perhaps the greatest judge Malaysia had seen.

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, which stipulated a minimum age of 17. He repeated his examinations and finally with his father's influence gained a seat in Raffles. He alleged that he was 'ragged' by Lee Kuan Yew.

Eusoffe read law at the University College, University of London, graduating with LL.B First Class Honours.

Legacy

As an advocate at the Bar, the late Eusoffe was unsurpassed in his knowledge of the law and unmatchable in his advocacy, earning him a reputation as a formidable opponent. 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 Hussein Hasanally Abdoolcader was a prominent lawyer, a community leader and politician. Hussein was a member of the Straits Settlements Legislative Council and a member of the Advisory Council to the Governor of the Malayan Union. Hussein also made a name for himself in the Straits Settlement as the first Malaya Indian to be knighted by King George VI in 1948. Eusoffe was married to Haseenah.

Death

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