Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan facts for kids
Tuanku Sir Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad (born 24 August 1895 – died 1 April 1960) was a very important leader in Malayan history. He was the first ever King, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, of independent Malaya. Before becoming King, he was the eighth ruler of Seri Menanti and the second ruler of modern Negeri Sembilan.
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Early Life and Education
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Tuanku Abdul Rahman was born in Seri Menanti on 24 August 1895. He was the second son of Tuanku Muhammad, who was the first ruler of modern Negeri Sembilan.
He went to Jempol Malay School for his primary education. Later, he studied at the Malay College from 1907 to 1914. After school, he worked for a year in Kuala Lumpur. Then, he became an Assistant Collector of Land Revenue in Seremban.
He also served in the Malayan Volunteer Infantry. He started as a Second Lieutenant and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1918.
In 1917, his older brother, Tunku Abdul Aziz, passed away. After this, Tuanku Abdul Rahman was prepared to become the next ruler. He was given the title Tunku Muda Serting.
He continued to work in various government roles. He was an Assistant Malay Officer in Klang and Sepang. He also worked in Ulu Selangor as an Assistant Collector of Land Revenue. His hard work led him to become an Assistant District Officer.
A big moment in his career was in 1925. He worked for a short time at the Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court.
In 1925, he traveled to the United Kingdom with his father, who was the ruler of Negeri Sembilan at the time. They went for an exhibition and to visit King George V. During this trip, Tuanku Abdul Rahman decided he wanted to study law. With his father's permission, he stayed in the UK to complete his law degree.
He then became a barrister from Inner Temple in London. In 1928, he was officially allowed to practice law. While in London, he was chosen as the first President of the Kesatuan Melayu United Kingdom. This was one of the earliest groups that promoted Malay nationalism.
When he returned to Malaya in December 1928, he joined the Malayan Civil Service. He worked in different parts of the country. He worked hard and eventually became a Magistrate. Later, he was appointed as a District Officer.
Becoming Ruler of Negeri Sembilan
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In 1933, his father passed away. Tuanku Abdul Rahman then became the new ruler of Negeri Sembilan. He was already a qualified lawyer, which was unique among Malay rulers at that time.
During the Japanese occupation of Malaya (1942–1945), Tuanku Abdul Rahman had to make speeches that seemed to support the Japanese. He later explained that he was forced to do this.
After the war, he signed the Malayan Union treaty. This was a plan for how Malaya would be governed. However, he later changed his mind and disagreed with it. He even hired a lawyer in London to argue against the Malayan Union plan on behalf of the Malay rulers.
Becoming the First King of Malaya
Tuanku Abdul Rahman was chosen as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Paramount Ruler) of independent Malaya. This happened on 31 August 1957. He was elected for a five-year term. He had been the ruler of Negeri Sembilan for 24 years before becoming the King.
Installation Ceremony
Tuanku Abdul Rahman was officially installed as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 2 September 1957. The ceremony took place at the throne room of the Istana Negara (National Palace).
Malay rulers do not traditionally wear crowns. Instead, he was installed by kissing the royal kris of state (a special dagger). This was done to the sound of the nobat, which is traditional royal music. This tradition has been followed by every King of Malaysia since then.
To honor Tuanku Abdul Rahman, all future Kings of Malaysia have also worn a special headdress. This headdress is styled in the "Dendam Tak Sudah" (Unending Revenge) fashion, which is a tradition from Negeri Sembilan.
Death and Funeral
Tuanku Abdul Rahman passed away peacefully in his sleep on 1 April 1960. He died at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. His body was laid in state at the Banquet Hall of the palace.
On 2 April 1960, a state funeral procession was held in Kuala Lumpur. His coffin was then taken by train to Seremban. From there, it was taken by hearse to the Istana Besar in Seri Menanti. He was buried at the Royal Mausoleum in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, on 5 April 1960.
Legacy
Tuanku Abdul Rahman's picture is still on the front of Malaysian Ringgit banknotes. This has been the case since the first series of banknotes was issued in 1967.
A famous all-boys boarding school in Malaysia is named after him. It is called Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Tuanku Abdul Rahman School), or STAR. It is located in Ipoh, Perak, and was built in 1957.
Belief in Democracy
Tuanku Abdul Rahman strongly believed in parliamentary democracy. This means that the people elect their leaders. One famous story shows his belief in this system. In 1959, a foreign visitor complained about the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The visitor wanted the King to remove the Prime Minister from his position.
The King replied, "Alas I can't sack him; he is elected by the people, and as Prime Minister of the country he can sack me!" This shows how much he respected the power of the people's vote.
Family Life
Tuanku Abdul Rahman was married four times. His wives included Cik Maimunah, Tunku Maharun, Tunku Kurshiah, and Tunku Zaidah. Tunku Kurshiah became the first Queen of Malaya.
He had three sons and five daughters. Two of his sons later became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan:
- Tuanku Munawir (reigned from 1960 to 1967).
- Tuanku Ja'afar (reigned from 1967 to 2008). Tuanku Ja'afar also served as the tenth King of Malaysia from 1994 to 1999.
His grandson, Tuanku Muhriz, is currently the ruler of Negeri Sembilan.
His daughter, Sultanah Bahiyah, became the Queen of Kedah. She also served as the fifth Queen of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975.
Hobbies and Interests
Tuanku Abdul Rahman enjoyed many sports. He liked cricket, football, and tennis. His favorite sport was boxing. When he was younger, he even loved to put on boxing gloves and box with his sons.
Awards and Recognitions
National Honours
Malaya:
Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (DMN) (1958)
Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN)
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Foreign Honours
United Kingdom:
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) - Sir (1934)
Recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
Recipient of the King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) - Sir (1957)
Brunei
Member First Class of the Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) - Dato Laila Utama (1959)
Places Named After Him
Many places have been named in his honor, including:
- Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a road in Kuala Lumpur
- Medan Tuanku district in downtown Kuala Lumpur
- Medan Tuanku Monorail station
- Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a boys school in Ipoh, Perak
- Tuanku Abdul Rahman Mosque in Sarikei, Sarawak
- Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Negeri Sembilan
- SK Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a primary school in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan
- SMK Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a secondary school in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan
- SMK Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a secondary school in Nibong Tebal, Penang
- SMK Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a secondary school in Rawang, Selangor
- Tuanku Abdul Rahman Residential College, a college at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
See Also
- List of Yang di-Pertuan Agong
- Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Images for kids
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Tuanku Abdul Rahman in the 1950s.
