Tunku Abdul Rahman facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman DMN DK (Kedah) DK (Johor) DK (Kelantan) DK (Perlis) DK (Selangor) DK (Terengganu) DUK DUNM SPMS DK (Brunei) SPMB AC CH KGC (Thailand)
تونكو عبد الرحمن‎
Tunku in 1960

1st Prime Minister of Malaysia
Honoured as Father of Independence / Father of Malaysia Bapa Kemerdekaan / Bapa Malaysia باڤ مليسيا / باڤ کمرديکاءن‎
In office 31 August 1957 – 22 September 1970
Monarch	Abdul Rahman Hisamuddin Putra Ismail Nasiruddin Abdul Halim
Deputy	Abdul Razak Hussein
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Abdul Razak Hussein
Chief Minister of Malaya
In office 1 August 1955 – 31 August 1957
Monarch	Elizabeth II
High Commissioner	Donald MacGillivray
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
2nd President of the United Malays National Organisation
In office 25 August 1951 – 23 January 1971
Preceded by	Onn Jaafar
Succeeded by	Abdul Razak Hussein
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 1 September 1960 – 22 September 1970
Monarch	Hisamuddin Putra Ismail Nasiruddin Abdul Halim
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Ismail Abdul Rahman
Succeeded by	Abdul Razak Hussein
Minister of Youth and Sports
In office 1964–1966
Monarch	Putra Ismail Nasiruddin
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Senu Abdul Rahman
Minister of External Affairs
In office 31 August 1957 – 2 February 1959
Monarch	Abdul Rahman
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Ismail Abdul Rahman
Minister of Home Affairs
In office 9 August 1955 – 30 August 1957
Monarch	Elizabeth II
High Commissioner	Donald MacGillivray
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Ismail Abdul Rahman
1st Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
In office 1970–1973
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Hassan Al-Touhami
5th President of AFC
In office 1958 – 11 December 1977
Preceded by	Nam Cheong Chan
Succeeded by	Kambiz Atabay

Personal details
Born	(1903-02-08)8 February 1903 Alor Setar, Kedah Sultanate, Siam (now Malaysia)
Died	6 December 1990(1990-12-06) (aged 87) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Resting place	Kedah Royal Mausoleum
Political party	United Malays National Organisation (1946–1988)
Spouses	Meriam Chong (m. 1933; died 1935) Violet Coulson (m. 1935; div. 1946) Sharifah Rodziah Barakbah (m. 1939) Bibi Chong (m. 1963)
Children	7
Parents	Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (father) Cik Menyelara (mother)
Education	Sultan Abdul Hamid College Debsirin School Penang Free School
Alma mater	St Catharine's College, Cambridge (BA in Law and History) Inner Temple
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (Jawi: ‏تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه; 8 February 1903 – 6 December 1990) was a Malaysian leader and lawyer. He served as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970. Before that, he was the first Chief Minister of Malaya from 1955 to 1957.

Tunku Abdul Rahman led the country to gain its independence on 31 August 1957. He then helped create the larger nation of Malaysia in 1963. This new country included Malaya, British North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore. However, Singapore later left Malaysia in 1965. Tunku is often called the "Father of Independence" (Bapa Kemerdekaan) or "Father of Malaysia" (Bapa Malaysia).

Early Life and Education

Childhood Years

Tunku Abdul Rahman was born on 8 February 1903, in Alor Setar, Kedah. He was the seventh son of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, who was the ruler of Kedah. His mother, Cik Menyelara, was Thai.

As a child, Tunku faced common illnesses like cholera and malaria. He started his schooling at the Alor Setar Malay Primary School. Later, he attended Sultan Abdul Hamid College. His parents also sent him to Debsirin School in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1915, he returned to Malaya to study at the Penang Free School.

University Studies

At 17, Tunku received a scholarship from the Kedah State Government. This allowed him to study at Cambridge University in England. He first struggled with his studies. However, with help from a tutor, he passed his university entrance exams.

He was accepted into St Catharine's College. In 1925, he earned a bachelor's degree in Law and History. After returning home, his eldest brother, Tunku Ibrahim, wanted him to become a lawyer. So, Tunku went back to England to study law further.

Career in Public Service

Working in Kedah

In 1931, Tunku began his career in the Kedah Civil Service. He worked as an Assistant District Officer in Kulim. He spent a lot of time visiting villages and understanding the problems of the local people. He also studied hard and passed his law exams for promotion.

Later, he became the District Officer of Padang Terap. This area was known for malaria. Tunku quickly worked to drain the swamps where mosquitoes bred. He asked the government for money, and when it was rejected, he asked again. The funds were approved, and he supervised the draining project.

He was later transferred to Langkawi, a group of islands. The area was not well-developed. When his requests for government funds were denied, Tunku found other ways. He gathered money and materials from local people. With their help, he built a jetty and several earth roads.

World War II and Japanese Occupation

During World War II, Tunku was called back to Malaya. He served as the District Officer in Kulim. He helped prepare for civil defense and air raid precautions. He even arranged for "Long Houses" to be built for people to evacuate to.

On 8 December 1941, the Japanese army invaded Malaya. Tunku helped people evacuate and tried to keep order. He also helped protect his elderly father, the Sultan, during the invasion.

When the Japanese took over, Tunku continued to work as District Officer for a year. He often disagreed with the Japanese officials. He was later removed from his position. He also secretly helped people who escaped from forced labor on the "Death Railway."

After the Japanese surrendered in August 1945, Tunku worked to maintain peace. He helped protect Alor Setar from any unrest.

Journey to Independence

Protesting the Malayan Union

After the war, the British proposed the "Malayan Union." This plan would have changed the power of the Malay rulers. Many Malays, including Tunku, strongly opposed it. Tunku spoke at many rallies, urging peaceful opposition.

He was disappointed when the Malay rulers signed the treaty. However, the protests continued. Tunku then decided to go back to England to finish his law studies. He became a qualified lawyer in 1949.

Joining UMNO

Tunku was invited to lead the Kedah branch of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). This was a political party formed to protect Malay interests. He later accepted a promotion to President of the Selangor Court in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1951, UMNO's founder, Onn Jaafar, decided to resign. Tunku was chosen to become the new president of UMNO. He won the election with many votes. In his first speech, Tunku demanded that Malaya gain independence as soon as possible. He then resigned from his government job to focus on politics.

Forming the Alliance Party

Tunku believed that different communities in Malaya needed their own political parties. He thought these parties could then work together. In 1952, UMNO teamed up with the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) for local elections in Kuala Lumpur. This partnership was called "The Alliance."

The Alliance won most of the seats in Kuala Lumpur. This success was repeated in other elections across the country. In 1953, UMNO and MCA leaders agreed to form a permanent Alliance. Their main goal was to achieve independence for Malaya.

Tunku also tried to work with the Independence of Malaya Party (IMP). However, the IMP leader, Onn Jaafar, wanted the Alliance to join his party instead. Tunku disagreed, believing in separate parties working together.

Meeting in London

In 1953, the government set up a committee to plan for elections. Tunku felt that the Alliance's views were not fully heard. So, he decided to travel to London in 1954 to meet the British Secretary of State for the Colonies.

He explained to British officials and Members of Parliament that the Alliance had strong public support. He pushed for more elected members in the government and earlier elections. Although the initial meeting did not bring immediate changes, Tunku's efforts helped.

The Boycott and Elections

When the British proposals for elections were not what the Alliance wanted, they decided to boycott the government. This meant Alliance members would not take part in government activities. The boycott was widely discussed.

Eventually, the British High Commissioner agreed to some of the Alliance's requests. This led to the Alliance ending their boycott. Tunku and his team then worked hard to prepare for the upcoming elections.

In 1955, the first federal elections were held. The Alliance, now also including the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), won a huge victory. They won 51 out of 52 seats. This showed that the people strongly supported the Alliance and Tunku's leadership.

Baling Talks

As Chief Minister, Tunku tried to end the communist rebellion. He offered amnesty (a pardon) to the communist fighters. In December 1955, Tunku met with Chin Peng, the leader of the communists, in Baling.

Tunku wanted to clarify the amnesty terms. He also wanted to show that he spoke for the people of Malaya. Chin Peng refused the amnesty because he wanted the Communist Party to be legal. The talks failed, and Tunku withdrew the amnesty offer. He believed the fight against communism must continue.

Achieving Independence

After the successful elections, Tunku and British officials agreed to hold talks in London. In January 1956, Tunku led the "Merdeka Mission" to London. "Merdeka" means "independence" in Malay.

On 8 February 1956, Tunku's 53rd birthday, he and the British Secretary of State signed the Independence agreement. Malaya would become independent in August 1957. Tunku returned to Malaya and announced the good news. People celebrated with shouts of "Merdeka!"

A special commission was set up to write the new constitution for Malaya. Tunku worked hard to ensure the constitution reflected the needs of all communities.

Leading the Nation

Tunku Abdul Rahman during a state visit to The Netherlands (May 1960)

Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first Prime Minister of independent Malaya on 31 August 1957. He also served as the foreign minister. He led the Alliance party to big wins in the 1959 and 1964 general elections.

One of his biggest achievements was forming Malaysia. In 1961, he suggested creating a larger federation. This would include Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. On 16 September 1963, Malaysia was officially formed, though Brunei did not join. Tunku was then called the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

However, there were challenges. Tensions grew between the Malay and Chinese communities, especially with Singapore joining. In 1965, Singapore left Malaysia and became an independent country.

After the 1969 general election, there were some difficulties. Tunku decided to step down as Prime Minister on 22 September 1970. He was succeeded by Abdul Razak Hussein. He also resigned from UMNO's presidency in 1971.

Involvement in Islam and Sports

Promoting Islam

After Islam became the official religion of the Federation in 1960, Tunku set up the Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM). This group helps new Muslims adjust to their faith. He was its president until shortly before his death.

In 1961, Malaysia hosted the first International Qur'an Recital Competition. This idea came from Tunku, who had started a similar competition in Kedah in 1951. Malaysia was also a founding member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Tunku became its first secretary-general in 1970.

Love for Sports

Tunku was a big sports fan. He became Vice-President of the Kedah Football Association in the 1930s. Later, he led the Selangor Football Association and then the Football Association of Malaysia for 20 years. He started youth football competitions like the FAM Cup and Rahman Cup.

He believed that sports could bring people together. He supported many sports events, including the Pestabola Merdeka (Independence Football Festival) in 1957. In 1958, he became the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and held that role until 1977.

Tunku also enjoyed horse racing. He even became a part-owner of a champion racehorse named Think Big, which won the Melbourne Cup twice.

Personal Life

Tunku married his first wife, Meriam Chong, in Kulim. They had two children, Tunku Khadijah and Tunku Ahmad Nerang. Sadly, Meriam died from malaria.

He later married Violet Coulson in a secret ceremony. They divorced amicably in 1947. Then, he married Sharifah Rodziah Syed Alwi Barakbah, and they adopted four children. He also had two children, Tunku Noor Hayati and Tunku Mastura, with Bibi Chong.

Death and Legacy

Tunku Abdul Rahman passed away peacefully on 6 December 1990, at the age of 87. He was buried at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Alor Setar, as he wished.

Buildings and Namesakes

Many places and buildings are named after Tunku Abdul Rahman to honor him. The shape of the Merdeka 118 tower in Kuala Lumpur is inspired by Tunku raising his hand while proclaiming independence.

Some places named after him include:

Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital.
- KT3 PY41 Putrajaya Sentral
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, a marine park in Sabah.
Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya.
Putra Bridge
Putra World Trade Centre
- SP4 AG4 LRT PWTC
- KA04 KTM Komuter Putra
Putrajaya Line
Bandar Menjalara, a township named after his mother.
Masjid Putra, a mosque in Putrajaya.
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, a major road in Putrajaya and other cities.
Schools like Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial in Kuala Lumpur.

Honours and Awards

Tunku Abdul Rahman received many awards and honors from Malaysia, other countries, and the Commonwealth. These awards recognized his great contributions to his nation and the world.

Honours from Malaysia

Malaysia :
- Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (DMN) (1970)
Kedah :
- Member of the Kedah Supreme Order of Merit (DUK) (1958)
- Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK) (1982)
Johor :
- First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (1961)
Kelantan :
- Recipient of the Royal Family Order or Star of Yunus (DK) (1970)
Perlis :
- Member of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK) (1965)
Selangor :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) – Dato' Seri (1961)
- First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (1965)
Terengganu :
- Member First Class of the Royal Family Order of Terengganu (DK I) (1964)
Malacca :
- Knight Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama (1985)

Commonwealth Honours

Brunei :
- Grand Commander of the Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka (1958)
- Family Order of Brunei 1st Class (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (1959)
Australia :
- Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) (1987)
United Kingdom :
- Honorary Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) (1961)