The Malaysian Bar - Kelantanese bid farewell to Wrigglesworth

Home

News/Notices

News

Press Statements

Kelantanese bid farewell to Wrigglesworth

Contributed by Nik Elin Zurina Bt Nik Abdul Rashid

Monday, 15 May 2006 12:22pm

Datuk Mike Wrigglesworth (1913-2006) I attended the funeral service for Datuk Mike Wrigglesworth on Saturday morning and indeed it as humbling that so many friends that became his family were present. They came from all walks of life from gardeners, to cooks, to butler, to personal assistant to lawyers, accountants, doctors, from Malays to Chinese to Indians, Dutch, British etc etc descent, of the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu faith or atheist all converged to be together to bid farewell to a man, an icon, and a legend in his own way. It was heartening to see his Muslim friends setting aside religious differences to become his pall bearers.

Mike was a lawyer, a Rotarian, a friend, an enigmatic man whose life greatly affected not just mine, but many. He lived a full and blessed life and though he remained single, he was not lonely. He had many families, not blood related but related by his commitment.

He was indeed noble yet always humble, and like a passing star in my life, that shone brightly for all to share.

I remember making lots of fun of him but Mike was unperturbed. I was the Hon Secretary when he was Chairman of the Kelantan Bar and I organised many parties for him in his home. We always had to use his back door to access his home for he wanted visitors to enjoy his riverside home beauty. Although he was way past 80, he was still whizzing past and yes, he drove his BMW really fast, and as a matter of fact, he even participated and raced in the go-kart competition, which I had organised while I was Chairman of the Sports and Social Committee of the Kelantan Bar. And that was when he was already 82!! Such was his fun loving spirit that I shall remember of him beside his wisdom, integrity, professionalism, generosity.

Although I was a much younger lawyer, he always insisted we call him Mike. His life touched mine. His passion, his humility and all was an inspiration to us. He loved to travel and without fail every year I would get a Hari Raya card from him.

He would write of his travels in the Christmas cards that he sent out although I was not a beneficiary of those Xmas cards.

He had survived two previous robberies, one where he was stabbed in the stomach which punctured a space that a kidney stone had been removed before which saved his life.

I regret that I had been unable to have spent more time listening to his World War II stories. I regret that I could not have learnt more from him. I regret that the robbers pushed him as had they had just asked, I am sure he would have given them anyway. And he had to go in a way that I feel only regrets. I should have known him better. Now what's left is his stately home where he loved to read and write. And now there's just memories of him that linger long in my mind, with “I should have”.

Eulogy

IN the eulogy, this is what his friend, Chua Eyu Bee had read before his coffin was closed.

“Thank you all for coming. We were all Mike’s friends and associates. We valued the man for what he was and are here to repay our last respects.

This is a sad occasion but the man we are here to honour lived a full life and had touched so many of us with us with his kindness, sense of justice and compassion. If life should be celebrated then Mike should be remembered for what he meant to each of us, how he affected or influenced our lives and for what he had contributed to Kelantan and Malaysia.

It is with profound sorrow that I stand here today in memory of my dear friend, Mike Wrigglesworth. I have known Mike for 25 years. I first met Mike at one of the Rotary meetings and later on, he became one of my first clients but subsequently I became his client.

Mike has always been a very special person and friend to me. In all his decisions, he had always been very firm, very fair and very generous. In all his time that I have known him, I have held him and his ideologies in very high esteem.

I have gained much from his guidance and advice.

Mike came to Malaysia in 1946 after Army service in India and Burma, and began his long career in the legal field winning the respect of colleagues with his ability, tenacity, and strong sense of principle. He served both as a magistrate and judge and often said that he “loved the law” and respected it as one of the main principles that held society together. In private practice Mike was known for his case organisation, his accuracy in preparation, and his knowledge of the law.

He maintained these traits through out his long life.

The Rotary Club of Kota Bharu had always been very special to Mike. It was something very close to his heart and the Rotary benefited much from him. Being one of its oldest Rotarian for 50 years, a past president he had remained active as a Rotarian till the very end.

In Rotarian affairs his keen mind and precision would always induce the presidents and members to toe the line. His latest and largest contribution was that of donating RM300,000 towards the needy children’s fund of which he had been actively involved in the committee’s decision making.

Mike was one of those people who, if he saw something that needed improvement went ahead and did something about it... both on a personal level and even through organisations.

On a personal level he planted thousands of trees on Pantai Sabak to give shade to the bathers there. He built and maintained his famous Red Bridge for the kampong people on the other side of the river to get to town.

His love for the state of Kelantan is commendable. His contributions to the people of Kelantan have not gone unnoticed. The Sultan conferred the Datukship on him in 1964. He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace.

He was actively involved in the affairs of the Kelantan Bar Committee of the Bar Council of Malaysia of the past 50 years.

Mike was also the first president of the amalgamated Kelantan Club and was subsequently made a life member. He was, in addition, also regarded as one of the club's legal advisers.

Presently one of the Kelantan Club’s trustees, his service and patriotism remains unquestioned. He had contributed tremendously to the benefit of the Club with ideas proposals, resolutions and amendments to rules.

Mike was one of the few Notary Public in the State and would often have group petitioners from various kampongs come to his house at night to get a document signed or a signature attested.

He never turned them away, always offered drinks, and charged one Ringgit for the Notary Service.

Being a keen traveller, he had visited more than 100 countries. He always made it a point to share a very detailed and vivid description of his travels in his annual Christmas Letter.

Mike had no family in Malaysia but over the years he developed a “family” in the people he cared for, nurtured, encouraged and assisted.

This “family” meant much to Mike and he often would mention someone who he influenced or assisted. He was proud of them all and many in return, loved and respected him.

There are many people here today whose life in one way or the other was changed by Mike, either by his generosity and compassion or his encouragement to pursue a career. He recognized that talent and opened doors for many to develop their talent.

Maybe some even met their spouses thru Mike!

Well, Mike, I would like to bid farewell and I know that all present here will join me as I end my eulogy with these words from my heart:

Thank you have been a wonderful friend and comrade. I know that your heart and spirit will always be around your beloved home, and I promise that it will be well taken care of.

Rest in Peace my friend and may God be with you. May your soul rest in peace.

God Bless. Thank You.”