TUAN HAJI ZAINUL ABIDN
Monday, July 19, 2010
HAJI ZAINUL ABIDIN BIN SULTAN MYDIN was born in Penang on 3rd October 1898. He started his education at Chowrasta School and then in Penang Free School. After his study he was given the opportunity to teach at Penang Free School for a few years. Geography was his favourite subject and he became an expert in that subject. Haji Zainul Abidin was also known by many names such as "Master Abidin", "S.M.Z.A" and "Zorro." Apart from being a class teacher, he also taught Arithmatics, English, Bahasa Malaysia and also Latin. He also taught Arithmatics at St. George Girls School.
Due to his interest in the field of education, he took a course at the London University as an off campus student and became the first Malay student to get BA (Hons) London. Then he became the headmaster of Francis Light School in 1938 and his services was hampered by the Japanese occupation. After that he became a supervisor at Penang Radio Station. With the arrival of the British, he was appointed as a school inspectorate in Seberang Perai. He retired in 1953 and continued to be active in politics.
He became an active UMNO member until he led the party in Penang for 11 years. In 1955, he won as a candidate for Perikatan Party in the first general election in the country.He was then appointed as a member of University Court in Malaya University for a few years and later as a member of Rahman Talib Education Report. He was also a member of Alliance Council in the early years when the country was working towards achieving independence.
In his free time, the late Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin wrote books for children. Apart from that, he could also write songs, cook and read. Asd a scout, he became Assistant Commissioner of Scout for the district of Penang and he became the assessor for the scout cooking test for a few years. As a result of his contributions to the society, he was bestowed the Darjah Johan Mangku Negara by the king and Jaksa Pendamai medal by Yang Terutama Negeri Pulau Pinang. Haji Zainul Abidin as a Penangite was so well-known that places were named after him viz Taman Abidin in Perak Road and Jalan Zainul Abidin near the UMNO headquarter. The naming of the school Sekolah Haji Zainul Abidin was a pride to him.
"HARIMAU MATI TINGGAL BELANG,
MANUSIA MATI TINGGAL NAMA."
