In 1936 Colonial License was obtained by the visionary B. P. Nicholas under the illustrious title of Bank of Malaya Ltd.

Please scroll down, right  to the bottom of this page to view a family photograph of the authors involved in researching, compiling and typing this webpage (over a lengthy period of time). Further pictures are also on our home page.

A large amount of research was undertaken to produce this profile at the recently refurbished Reference section of the British Library in London during 2007.

Press here for the HOME PAGE to view some in-depth pictures and varied, multiple background details.

The story of the Oriental Bank of Malaya Ltd. describes a family who fulfilled a vision. It is a story that begins with the young B. P. Nicholas travelling from Ceylon by sailing boat, and thence from Penang to Klang (Selangor) through crocodile infested waters.

Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas was lovingly known by his varied and business associates from various ethnic groups as "B.P. Nicholas".  The bank originally licensed as ‘The  Bank of Malaya Limited’ was incorporated on December 31 1936.  B.P. Nicholas had 5 sons and 3 daughters and he wanted to see his whole family participating in his aspirational dream.  He was one of the first non-British businessmen who endeavoured to become one of the top bankers in Malaya — which ultimately meant he became the only ethnic Ceylonese ever to acquire a banking license in Malaya.  This will explain why his name got mentioned in the illustrious compendium ‘Who’s Who' — for an Asian to be given a respectable 9 line mention during the Colonial reign reaffirmed that even the British found him an admirable character. Although it must be said here that he was torn between two visions: the first option of establishing the first non-European bank in Malaya and the second option of buying a big slice of land near Brickfields, in the Capital, Kuala Lumpur. Over many months he paced the floor relentlessly, walking up and down, for this was a decision he had to make entirely on his own. At times it must have been torturous – if he had followed the second vision this prime property would be worth millions of dollars now.

Just as a matter of interest for those who are keen on a historical perspective of Brickfields, our grandfather B. P. Nicholas and his family, which included our dad Albert Arasaratnam Nicholas, were close neighbours to the Ananda Krishnan family. B. P. Nicholas and Ananda's father spent great time socially playing chess together. They resided on the same street, the leafy and much sought after Temple Road. Grandad's residence was number one, a grandiose bungalow, which was enclosed with servant’s quarters.
                                                                               

View a photograph of Jaffna House below.

Till today our Dad still relates stories to us about how Grandad with the family encouraged and inspired the parents of Ananda Krishnan of humble beginnings to have faith and believe that their family would certainly prosper. They must have taken Grandad’s imposing house as a visual image that one day they would ascend to that level or even higher. Prophetically their son Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan has certainly prospered. A noted billionaire and the 3rd richest man in South East Asia. Now he is also an internationally recognised philanthropist.  Our prayer is that one of the present generation of Nicholas' follows this trend!

We note a report that the son of Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan is a devout Buddhist monk. One of the houses Grandad B. P. Nicholas bought faced a Buddhist Temple called The Maha Vihara Temple. (Commonly known to Dad as the Brickfields Buddhist Temple). This building was located exactly opposite Uncle Benny Thambyrajah's  house. This was the first time as a young impressible lad, during a holiday stay with my Uncle that I observed the Buddhist monks clothed with their glowing orange robes. At close range it fascinated me to view them chanting some prayers in a row with their bowls going out to receive alms. This image is still visual even till today. I sometimes wonder whether as a young tender lad if the edifice of this temple moulded and influenced Ananda Krishnan in any way as it was located on the same street called Temple Road.

Most mornings I listen to the flagship Today Programme on Radio 4. One of the scheduled items is, ‘The Thought for the Day’. On occasions ‘Mr Vishvapani’, a local national from Manchester, delivers his comments from a Buddhist angle. When I listen to him memories of my week-end stay at Brickfields come back to me. It makes a mention here given the fact that our webpage has got a religious Christian flavour interposed within this historical story. After all these years I would never have forethought that I would have a gracious personal visible appearance of Jesus, in July 1979, that drastically changed the course and pattern of our lives. It is fascinating how one’s life can twist and change. After  Jesus appeared to me I went into my own wilderness experience, moving into deep solitude and meditated constantly on Biblical verses until they metamorphosed into my being. The hunger to get to know our Lord was daily getting stronger. I remember once sitting quietly alone in St James the Great Church, Peckham Rye, London, SE 15, England, a date that will be remembered for ever, 3rd of April 1993. My mind for a moment was distracted in wanting to follow my own ambitions and desires to pursue a successful banking career. I sensed the voice of Our Heavenly Father ministering and instructing me, “Why don’t you, Anton, pursue my Son Jesus and pursue Him intensely?"

From that day on I decided to pursue this instruction meticulously. I came back home and took every single banking text book I owned and every paraphernalia relating to my potential career, placing them neatly in a black garbage bag and threw them away. From then henceforth my challenging spiritual journey commenced.
 

Read what happened to me by pressing this link: What a wilderness experience!   "In love's service, the wounded soldier serves best”
― Thornton Wilder

To sense the fruit and the after effects of my meditation and spiritual experience watch very closely our You Tube wedding below and you will definitely grasp the fruit of His Appearance and how my lifestyle affected every member of my family. Do press this link: You will sense the Presence of Jesus within the video.        

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_klvCmSa5U

As a side note the close business associate (the right hand man) to Ananda Krishnan, Augustus Ralph Marshall the Chief Executive Officer of Astro, is acquainted with our family.

BP Nicholas exemplified his innate affection for the Tamil speaking community in Malaya —  by encouraging them to progress.  He provided employment for many people from this sector to secure a steady income to enable them to prosper. There will be so many individuals in Malaysia who will owe their purpose to live to B. P. Nicholas. It's noteworthy that two of his grandsons secured employment in the Bank.

Given his profile B. P. Nicholas kept himself distantly quiet — although in the Brickfields area he was respected and referred to as Tuan (Sir) Nicholas. He purchased for himself an Austin Hillman car — it has been stated by my dad that such a grand car was rare during those days and often reserved for the likes of the British Governor. This is the reason why the present day Nicholas family refer to Grandad as the 'forgotten Malayan banker'.

We sometimes wonder whether the present incumbent Honourable Members of Parliament for the constituency encompassing Brickfields have ever heard of B. P. Nicholas? These include the MP for Bukit Bintang, Yang Berhormat Fong Kui Lun, (Democratic Action Party) and the very vibrant likeable lady, Yang Berhormat Nurul Izzah binte Anwar, Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) whose constituency covers the area of Bangsar. Grandad tremendously liked this built up area.

We did warmly greet Nurul’s father, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, MP for the constituency of  Permatang Pauh, when he visited London and Cambridge. He is also the current leader of the Malaysian opposition party. Between the period of 1993- 1998 he was the Deputy Malaysian Prime Minister.

It is sad and to our regret that we did not petition for at least a lane in Brickfields to be named after Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas! After all he contributed in his own way to boost the gross national product of the Malayan economy and provided wages and salaries for many Asiatics. This working income kept families together and the disposable capital generated itself through many facets of the day to day economy.

As a redoubtable and determined individual with strong principles, he arrived in Malaya sometime in 1892 and received his early education in Singapore.  He served in various Malayan states in a company called the Federal Engineering Company and had been appointed the accountant of the Penang branch.  After leaving the company, he set up one of the first companies providing financial services in partnership with his friend a Mr. Kock, a contractor based in the State of Ipoh, Perak.  This financial business was in reality a money lending activity.  This is the main reason why B. P. Nicholas is recognized as the first Asian banker in the history of British colonial Malaya.  The partnership was later dissolved and our Grandfather assimilated the original money lending activity into a banking business under the profile of B.P. Nicholas & Sons Bankers.  His first office was located at number 2, Foch Avenue, Kuala Lumpur.

Note the entry below, printed in the Malay Mail, Thursday January 7, 1937 on page 12.  It clearly states that B. P. Nicholas and Sons Bankers was established in the year 1920 in Malaya.  This information was obtained from the British Library, Newspaper Section, London, United Kingdom (Shelf Mark number MC 1300).  This entry appeared every few days in the month of January, 1937.  In the same page there are other banks mentioned, namely Chartered Bank Of India, Australia & China (Incorporated in England by Royal Charter 1853), The Mercantile Bank Of India Ltd. (Incorporated in England), Hongkong And Shanghai Banking Corporation (Incorporated in the Colony of Hong Kong) and The Overseas - Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd, (Incorporated in Straits Settlements), with its Head Office in Chulia Street, Singapore.

A large amount of research was undertaken to produce this profile at the recently refurbished Reference section of the British Library in London during 2007.

You might find this daily reading interesting  — give it a quick glance!

Link: Why do I find a rag to riches story a fascinating read?

It was on 31st December 1936 that the dream and vision he was determined to see fulfilled in his lifetime finally came to pass.  Apparently, my Dad reported that he kept on looking at the Official Document over and over again.  It looked impossible but finally the British authorities granted him the License he desperately wanted!  The Bank of Malaya Limited was incorporated by this inspirational Malayan Ceylonese.

In its second year of operation, the Bank of Malaya actually reported a net profit of $16 085. In late 1938, the bank was advised by the government to change its name to the Oriental Bank of Malaya Limited. The crucial reason being the BRITISH banks were unhappy over the use of the name as it lifted up the profile of the real status of the bank and the original name helped attract business, not only from the Tamil community but also from some established local businessmen.

The Japanese Occupation of Malaya affected so many families, one being the demise of the visionary B. P. Nicholas. This heavy burden possibly hastened his death,  which came 20^th Oct' 1942. Apparently he knew that death was approaching, just a good hour before he passed away, B. P. Nicholas called each of his family members individually to his bedside and gave them specific instructions on how he wanted the business to be run.

Uncle Edwin, who was a young maturing man in his thirties at that time had been a director since 1936, was appointed chairman. As the founder was not on the scene, the bank had to operate on a reduced scale and  Edwin trained all his young 4 brothers. Albert, Cyril, Alfred and Victor later helped in the operation of this banking business. Real chaos followed the Japanese surrender and the banking business had to be suspended – it officially recommenced on September 15, 1945.

The family continued to run the business successfully through many troubled years, and an incident occurred which changed the format of their involvement in banking. In 1968 a Malaysian-born entrepreneur, Cho Jock Kim, approached the family and offered $1-60 a share to buy out the family’s controlling 52% share. His actual  permanent residence status was in the thriving business state of Singapore. He was heavily involved in the publishing and hotel business. In 1971 Mr Jock Kim was the Managing Director of the plush Singapore Hilton. I happened to get a glimpse of this Gentleman just once when he suddenly popped over without notice to our Bank house in Jalan Sultan, Klang. He oozed a commanding influence, like he knew exactly what he wanted to do with the Bank he had just purchased. One of the first things he told Dad was that he wanted our Klang Branch to be transferred to the other side of Klang, which in common parlance means, the other side of the Klang bridge!

In 1969, the vision of B. P. Nicholas who founded the one-time ‘Nicholas Bank’ as it was popularly known among older clients came to a sad end. But thanks Be to the Living God, now the higher and greater vision mandated by our Precious Friend, God The Holy Ghost is being pursued now with great zeal by the grandchildren and the great grandchildren of B. P. Nicholas, which is embossed within our favourite scripture found in Matthew Chapter 6 verse 33: But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Thank God for His Faithfulness. Do read Anton's prophecy for 2011 and onwards :discern, pray and than hearken.   For the hour is urgent Brethren!

Just a Comment:  The Nicholas Household had to exercise a great deal of wisdom dealing with both the then residing British ruling class and then later the invading and conquering Japanese, (2nd World War). For B. P. Nicholas to receive a Banking Licence issued under the prestigious name of, The Bank of Malaya Limited — showed clearly he developed the art, all the necessary and needed nuances and the political maturity to deal culturally with the British. It is also obvious to be noted that B. P. Nicholas must have either groomed his eldest son or on the contrary Edwin learned at close quarters from his father how to operate doughtily with both rulers and invaders.

When the Japanese forces moved into Kuala Lumpur, Edwin Nicholas had to confront them directly. For the Nicholas’s had some prestigious property which included some detached houses within the Brickfields area. The testimony here was that no property was damaged and that no member of the Nicholas household was either brutalised, persecuted, traumatized or killed by the Japanese forces.They even mercifully spared hitting our families with the dreaded bamboo pole which was relentlessly and forcefully used on the helpless British prisoners of war. I better put it on record what my Dad told me about his parents that they kept themselves very close to Almighty God and when possible attended daily service at the local church. All the children were disciplined to pray daily. The only precious toll was that this invasion in some ways affected the vision and the further expansion dreams of the founder B. P. Nicholas. The diminution of his dream tremendously affected his health.

Between 3 -4 am some nasty thieves entered into the back of our bank house in order to gain access to the bulky bank safe: They wanted to get rich quick: Press  this link:

Valerie’s father passed away in 1991 and Mum in 1999. Her mum's last words to us was to take care of her only daughter.  Valerie has now become an adopted member of our family.  Please do read how God the Father has restored her spiritually and physically.  Please click here to read her story from the  depths of despair to restoration.

This was a tremendous joyous occasion for my Dad. See him celebrating with his family, relatives and close friends in Malaysia. Live music included to serenade the gathering, surrounded by electric fans producing cool steam!

 1) Mr. Chettiar, a money changer    2)  still unknown    3) Mr. Vinisithamby, High School teacher    4) still unknown    5) Mr Francis Xavier, Electrical Engineer    6) Mr.Yong Kee Mee, Businessman    7) Mr. Ramasamy, former owner of the land where Klang Club stands now    8) Mr.Lee Swee Wah, Planter    9) still  unknown    10) Mr. Nagappan Chettiar, Dr Valiappan's father    11) Mr. Ng Kai Shah, Lai's father in law    12) still unknown (he was once a Petition Writer)    13) still unknown    14) Mr. Karthivelu, a clerk at the Oriental Bank

A) A Hundred Years of Ceylonese in Malaysia and Singapore (1867-1967)

In the first book in one of the pages entitled 'Being Records and Recollections of a Community' under the sub-title of: 'Selangor Pioneers' Mr. Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas and Mrs Ester Chellammah Nicholas are recognised and noted as state of Selangor pioneers.  Mr. Benedict Ponniah is also mentioned as a F. M. S. Queen’s Scholar, 1934.  Mr. Edwin Thiruchelvam Nicholas is noted for being the Managing Director, Oriental Bank, Malaya.

It’s a noted fact that the Malayan Railways was once called, “The Jaffna Railways.” It is also an established fact that the Selangor State Railways were 90% or more staffed by Ceylonese. This information can be obtained from the Selangor Establishment list of 1 January 1899. Further records are available at the National Archives, Kuala Lumpur.

In the second book (1936) authored by Edward I. Ponniah and A. T. Kulasingham it was mentioned that B. P. Nicholas has done useful service to the Community by providing the only Bank in Jaffna, Ceylon.

On 27th October 2010, a specially invited guest Dr. Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister of India) alongside Dato’ Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, (Malaysia's Prime Minister) launched Little India by unveiling a fountain. "Little India" is Kuala Lumpur’s Indian enclave and covers the area from Jalan Travers to Jalan Tun Sambanthan in the Brickfields neighbourhood. May the transformation of Brickfields commence!

Standing back row commencing from the left