Datuk Seri Rajendran Ramasamy

Datuk Seri Rajendran Ramasamy (fondly known as Datuk Seri Raj to his friends) was born on 8th December 1965 in Klang, Malaysia. He attended Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Ampuan Jemaah before pursuing higher studies in the United Kingdom. He studied law at the University of Wales, earning a Bachelor of Law (LLB) undergraduate degree in 1989. Returning to Malaysia, he obtained the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) in 1990 and was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1991.

Datuk Seri Raj is an entrepreneur of many talents: four years after his return to Malaysia at the age of 28, he founded a law firm, Rajendran & Deen, in 1993. Then, during the height of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 – as the markets were in the midst of turmoil and upheaval - he went against the tide and founded Amalan Setar Sdn Bhd, his highly successful real estate development company which he continues to lead to this day as Managing Director.

Throughout his life, Datuk Seri Raj has held a deep passion and belief for alleviating the challenges and struggles faced by the underprivileged and underrepresented in society. He has generously supported numerous charitable causes with his time, ideas and mentorship, as well as through financial contributions. Datuk Seri Raj’s efforts in philanthropy and impact are centered around public health, education, and youth empowerment.

Datuk Seri Raj has served Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association (MaLRA) for more than 15 years: he joined MaLRA in 2010 as an Ordinary Member and was immediately elected to its Executive Committee the same year, prior to being chosen as its 7th President in 2019. His tenure as MaLRA President has been marked by a renewed focus on driving deeper, more direct and highly meaningful impact to leprosy patients, their families and the community as a whole. Datuk Seri Raj has spearheaded efforts to strengthen MaLRA’s national footprint by strengthening its national branch network, as well as instituting closer collaborations with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia.

Across many years, Datuk Seri Raj has also engaged in continuous and consistent prolific philanthropic activities, which notably included gifting a substantial endowment to the Indian Association of Penang. He has also contributed significantly to the community of his hometown of Klang where he built a boys’ hostel under the MySkills Foundation in 2021, as well as providing funding for SJK(T) Simpang Lima in Klang to construct a multi-purpose hall for its students.

Datuk Seri Raj’s real estate development firm has also consistently sponsored co-branded scholarships under the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation (Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman, or YTAR), which supports youth from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds to access higher education opportunities.

In recognition of Datuk Seri Raj’s substantial philanthropic activities as well as his significant contributions to society, he was conferred the Kedah state honour Darjah Dato’ Setia Diraja Kedah (Knight Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah, or D.S.D.K.) which carries the title “Dato’” on the occasion of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah’s 87th birthday in 2014. He was subsequently conferred the Federal Territories Order of Seri Mahkota Wilayah (Grand Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Territorial Crown, or S.M.W.) which carries the title “Datuk Seri” by D.Y.M.M. Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2016.