This mosque was the effort of Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied, an Arab merchant from Palembang. His son, Syed Abdullah bin Omar Aljunied, was responsible for the 1855 rebuilding. The Aljunied family was best remembered for their charitable acts in supporting schools, hospitals and mosques, as well as sponsoring religious events. These philanthropic deeds were recognised in the naming of Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque after its founder, the naming of Aljunied Road and Syed Alwi Road (Syed Alwi was the descendant of Syed Omar)