Abdul Samad Ismail

Tan Sri Abdul Samad bin Ismail (Jawi: عبدالصمد اسماعيل (18 April 19244 September 2008), who often went by the moniker Pak Samad, was a Malaysian journalist, writer and editor. He was also one of the founding members of the People's Action Party in Singapore.

Early life Samad was born on 18 April 1924, in Singapore to Javanese immigrant parents, He completed a Senior Cambridge certificate as a cub reporter at the daily newspaper, Utusan Melayu, where he began his career in journalism in 1940.

Career During the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II, Samad worked for the Japanese-supported newspaper, Berita Malai. He often met with the Malay supporters of independence, as well as the separatists who were against Dutch rule in nearby Indonesia. He was released from prison in 1953 and again returned to work at Utusan Melayu.

Samad founded the People's Action Party (PAP) with Lee Kuan Yew, the future Prime Minister of Singapore.

Samad rejoined the New Straits Times Press group following his release from prison as an editorial adviser. He retired from full-time journalism in 1988.

Samad was survived by his children (whom he had with his first wife, Hamidah Hassan), as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had ten children during his life, eight of whom are still living.

Samad's first wife, Hamidah Hassan, had died in 1990.