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SINGAPORE – Prominent businessman and community leader Ameerali R. Jumabhoy died Tuesday morning (November 24) at the age of 94.
Mr. Ameerali founded Scotts Holdings Limited in 1982, the business that was previously behind the Scotts Mall and Ascott serviced residences.
“He was a visionary and a pioneer, always ready to challenge the status quo, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” his family said in a statement Tuesday.
Ameerali was born on December 28, 1925.
His father, Mr. Rajabali Jumabhoy, nicknamed “Great Old Man Scott”, was a prominent businessman and key figure in the Singaporean Indian community.
Young Jumabhoy, affectionately known as Ameer, built Scotts Mall, one of the first malls in Singapore to feature an indoor food center – Picnic.
Under his leadership, the Jumabhoy family moved to other business ventures, including fast food chain A&W and duty-free operations at Changi Airport.
At its peak, Scotts had assets valued at more than $ 600 million.
In 1996, Scotts Holdings Limited was sold to CapitaLand.
In 2019, Ameerali received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ameerali was not only an industry titan, but also had a lifelong commitment to public service.
He was actively involved in public organizations such as Mendaki (where he was president of Mendaki Holdings), the Singapore Islamic Religious Council (Muis), the National Council for Crime Prevention and the National Council for Youth Achievement Award.
He was also a member of the founding board of the Singapore Polytechnic and the National Heritage Board, and also led the rebuilding of Masjid Kassim on Changi Road.
In his later years, he served in the China-Singapore Friendship Association, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, and the Gandhi Memorial Foundation.
His dedication to active citizenship was established in his time in India during World War II.
Evacuated with his mother and younger brothers to India during the war, Ameerali became deeply involved in India’s struggle for independence from the British Empire.
“While in India, he participated in the ‘Get Out of India’ movement and is considered a ‘freedom fighter.’ He developed a deep and abiding devotion to Mahatma Gandhi and was arrested several times by the colonial authorities in the fight for freedom, “his family said in the statement.
“He was the epitome of the beloved rebel, always defying the rules and never resting on his laurels. He will be greatly missed.”
Mr. Ameerali is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His wife, Ms. Amina Jumabhoy, died of a heart attack at age 68 in 1992.
He is scheduled to be buried at the Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on Tuesday.
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