Anionic (sodium lauryl sulphate, NaLS) cationic (cetyl ammonium bromide, CTAB) and non-ionic (Tween-80) surfactants have been found to inhibit the rate of oxiadation L-proline and L-methionine by alkaline $KMnO_4$. A first order dependence of rate of oxidation was observed with respect to $MnO_4{^-}$. The order of reaction in substrate and alkali was found to be fractional nearby 0.65 and 0.55 in Aminoacid and $OH^-$, respectively. An aggregation/association between $MnO_4{^-}$ and surfactant has been confirmed spectrophotometrically. A mechanism, involving kinetically inactive [$MnO_4{^-}$ surfactant] aggregate and consistent with kinetic data, has been proposed. The effect of surfactants has been discussed in terms of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions.