Hamzah Abu Samah

Who was Hamzah Abu Samah?

Hamzah Abu Samah was a Malaysian politician and athlete who served as President of Asian Football Confederation from 9 December 1978 to 1 August 1994.

Samah was educated at Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He went on to study law at Gray's Inn in England. He became a Member of Parliament representing Raub and Temerloh in Dewan Rakyat, Malaysia's parliament.

Additionally he was Minister of Sports and Youth from 22 April 1971 to 1 May 1973 in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak. He was defence minister from 1973-1980 and Trade and Industry Minister from 1974-1980. In 1980 he stepped down after having a coronary bypass operation.

He was a member of IOC from 1978 to 2004 and was a Honorary Member until his death.

He died on 4 September 2012 in Kuala Lumpur. He was 88 years old. His body was buried in Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur.