AHMED, Ebrahim, alias Be Shwe Mya, M.B.E was born in Mergui on 17th June 1869. Educated in Mergui and Rangoon, studied up to the Junior Entrance Examination. Married and has three issues. Son-Mr. Ahmed Ebrahim Ahmed, and two daughters. His great grand-father hailed from Penang and settled down in Mergui long before the British annexation of Mergui. Father, Abdoosamad, alias U. Shwe Ket, alive, age 89 years, hale and hearty, all the members of the family being long lived. Brothers (1) Mohamed Haniff (Hony. Mag.); (2) Abdul Jalil (Merchant and Planter); (3) A. S. Mahomed (Mun. Com. and Planter). Mr. Ahmed has not entered Government Service but has served as Hon. Magistrate, Municipal Councillor, and was the first member from Mergui to sit in the Legislative Council for Burma. Entered Mercantile Business while still at school at the age of 18, having a strong and natural bent for trade. Has built up his large business carried on in the name of “E. Ahmed, Mergui,” through sheer industry and hard work and has raised his brothers also to their present positions by urging them on in his footsteps. Owns Wolfram and Tin Mines and a Rice Mill. Launches Pearling Boats every year and is the holder of the Monopoly License for the collection of all classes of shells, beche-de-mer and sea-slugs by naked diving throughout the British Waters of the District. He is the pioneer of all the above industries and has business connections with London, Bombay, Calcutta, Penang and Singapore. His business is now managed by his son, Mr. A. E. Ahmed, assisted by three nephews: (1) Mr. Zekriya Ebrahim; (2) Abdul Majid Jalil; and (3) Mahomed Raza Ebrahim, with office manager Mr. F. J. Tellis, an Anglo-Indian, while all the brothers mentioned above co-operate and conduct matters just if it was a united family concern. Has subscribed largely to the Red Cross and other charities. Has built a huge Mosque, to which is added a Madrassa, Rest Houses, etc. Awarded the M.B.E. by the King Emperor on 1st Jan. 1919, awarded a Sanad by the Viceroy on the 26th June 1918, and awarded the badge for Voluntary War Work in India 1914-19 on the 12th March 1919.

Source: Who’s Who in Burma by Sir Harcourt Butler, The Indo-Burma Publishing Agency, Calcutta & Rangoon,1927.

• Biography