Singapore based Khoja Businessman and Community Leader passes away at 94

A Prominent Khoja businessman and community leader Ameerali R. Jumabhoy passed away on Tuesday, 24^th November, in the morning at the age of 94,. Mr Ameerali founded Scotts Holdings Limited in 1982, the company that was previously behind Scotts Shopping Centre, one of the first shopping centres in Singapore to feature an indoor food centre – Picnic and the Ascott serviced residences.

About Ameerali R. Jumabhoy

Mr Ameerali was born on 28^th December, 1925. His father, Mr Rajabali Jumabhoy, who was nicknamed as “the Grand Old Man of Scott’s”, was a prominent businessman and a key figure in Singapore’s Indian community.

Under the  leadership of the younger Jumabhoy, affectionately known as Ameer, the Jumabhoy family moved into other business ventures, including the A&W fast-food chain and duty-free operations at Changi airport. At its peak, Scotts had assets valued at over $600 million. In 1996, Scotts Holdings Limited was sold to CapitaLand.

His works

His family mentions that Mr Ameerali was a keen sportsman and instrumental in securing the land where the current Singapore Polo Club is located. Following his death, the Polo Club posted their condolences to his family and friends on social media saying that, “His dedication, passion and contribution to polo and the Club will always be remembered.” He was the first Singaporean president of the Singapore Polo Club and served for 12 years, and remained a patron until his death.

Mr Ameerali was not only a titan of the industry but also had a lifelong commitment to public service. He was actively involved in public organisations including Mendaki (where he was chairman of Mendaki Holdings), the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), National Crime Prevention Council and the National Youth Achievement Award Council.

He was also on the founding board of Singapore Polytechnic and the National Heritage Board, and even led the rebuilding of Masjid Kassim in Changi Road.

In his most recent years, he served on the Sino-Singapore Friendship Association, the Global Organisation of Persons of Indian Origin and the Gandhi Memorial Foundation.

Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2019, Mr Ameerali was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI). The SICCI’s chairman Dr T. Chandroo personally visited Mr Ameerali to inform him that he had received the award. Dr Chandroo, who knew Mr Ameerali for over a decade, mentioned that he was always a good friend and mentor for himself and the SICCI. “He always showed up (for events) despite his age, and loved to motivate the young and encouraged them to take up challenges,” he added.

Mr Ameerali is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His wife, Mrs Amina Jumabhoy, died of a heart attack in 1992 at the age of 68. “He was a visionary and a pioneer, always willing to challenge the status quo, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” his family commented in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Ameerali’s funeral was held on  Tuesday, 24^th November and he was  buried at the Choa Chu Kang Muslim cemetery.

The KhojaNews team offers our deepest condolences to all the Family and Friends of Mr Ameerali. We pray to Allah (swt) to grant maghferat to the marhum and to elevate his status in Jannah, Ameen.