Remembering Tunku Abdul Rahman
Penang declares Feb 8 Unity Day in conjunction with
the birthday of the nation's first prime minister, also known as 'Bapa
Kemerdekaan'.
KUALA
LUMPUR: Several well-known veteran figures recalled nostalgic moments
with the country’s “Bapa Kemerdekaan” (Father of Independence) and first
prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, and his endearing
traits in conjunction with Tunku’s 114th birthday yesterday.
Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) president, Yussof Latiff, who
knew Tunku since he took over the Umno leadership from Onn Jaafar in
1951, said Tunku’s integrity was his most distinct personal trait.
“When it came to Tunku’s integrity, there was no compromise, it could
not be doubted or questioned. Tunku was honest and sincere. When he
took over the Umno leadership, the party had no money, so Tunku sold his
house in Penang to fund the running of Umno,” he told Bernama.
Yussof, who is now 86, also said Tunku was like a father who people,
whether Malays or non-Malays, sought for “shelter” when he was a leader.
He said Tunku’s family and the staff at his residence were multiracial and multi religious.
“That was typically Tunku. His cook was a Malay, his driver an Indian
and his domestic helper who washed the clothes and dishes was a
Chinese.
“Tunku also adopted children, especially of Chinese descent, into the
family. He raised five of them from small until they became adults and
got married,” Yussof said.
He also regarded Tunku, who died in 1990 at age 87, as a gift from
God to lead the Malays and Umno, and then obtain independence for the
country and become a leader for all races.
Yussof said that since 2003, a gathering of the Penang state muhibbah
consultative council comprising 16 ethnic bodies was held in
remembrance of Tunku’s birthday. Feb 8 meanwhile, was declared Unity Day
for Penang.
“In discussions, Tunku was very open and could accept everything that
was voiced out. Tunku Abdul Rahman was irreplaceable,” he said.
Extremely simple, kind and warm
Former inspector-general of police, Hanif Omar said he first got
close to Tunku when he was a member of Tunku’s security detail for the
protracted Maphilindo (Malaysia/Philippines/Indonesia) talks in Manila
in June 1963.
“He was extremely simple, kind and warm and remained so throughout
his life which was guided every day by the Quranic verses that he opened
at random every morning after subuh prayers,” he said.
Hanif said Tunku used to allow him the use of his beachfront home in Penang.
“May Allah abundantly bless his soul and that of his late wife Tun Sharifah Rodziah,” he said.
Former Bukit Aman director of internal security and public order,
Zaman Khan said he too had fond memories of Tunku when he was the OCPD
of Butterworth before the 1969 general election.
The former prime minister would come to Butterworth and stay at his
small wooden bungalow at Telok Ayer Tawar where he used to hold meetings
with Umno and the then Alliance.
Zaman Khan said when he was Penang chief police officer, his quarters was just a house away from Tunku’s.
He said he was advised by Tun Abdul Razak, who succeeded Tunku as
prime minister, to keep Tunku company which he did usually after Isyak
prayers. And almost every Thursday, Tunku would host local Umno heads
for “chit chat sessions with lots of old stories”.
Former banker Rais Saniman said he had the honour of serving Tunku in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when Tunku was secretary-general of the then
Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) soon after he stepped down as
prime minister in 1970.
“Tunku had an idea with King Faisal to set up the Islamic Development
Bank and I was directed by Tun Razak to go and join the international
team of experts to set up and get the bank going,” he said.
Rais said: “I started with unease with Tunku but I ended up kissing his feet. He was warm and kind.
“Open the first page of the Encyclopaedia of Democracy. He is on the first page. The greatest Malaysian.”
(All video from Youtube)
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