Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj full story

Introduction

Remembered as the “Father of Independence”, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, had recognised the vital importance of fostering cooperation among Malaysia’s various ethnic groups as a way to overcome political challenges. The seventh son of the 25th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, and Che’ Menjalara, Tunku contested – and won – the Presidential elections of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) in 1951. As UMNO President, he established a political coalition with the Chinese and Indians, resulting in the birth of the coalition that is now known as the National Front (Barisan Nasional). Tunku led the negotiations for independence, and on 31st August 1957, the Federation of Malaya declared its independence from the British, without a drop of blood being spilled. It was also Tunku who envisioned the idea of Malaysia – a federation of Malaya, Singapore (which later seceded in 1965), Sabah, and Sarawak which was established on 16th September, 1963. Tunku is also recognised for his elevation of Islam to the status of official religion and he was instrumental in the setting up of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in 1969, of which he was the first Secretary-General. It can be said that Tunku Abdul Rahman’s greatest single achievement was in giving Malaysians a sense of pride and nationhood.​