TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

S. DURAIRAJASINGAM
Both the Mahatma and the Tunku are barristers of Inner
Temple. The former was the son of a Prime Minister, the
latter the son of a Ruler. Both have the regal and legal touch
about them.
Children surrounded Gandhiji. Love for children is a
passion with the Tunku as well.
Have you noticed the broad Tunku smile, above a load of
garlands? Often it reminds you of the Gandhian smile, except
that in the last years of Gandhiji, it was a toothless smile.
Yet, the smile of both these great men has the same quality
— that of instilling regard and affection in the minds of people.
Mahatma Gandhi's wit and humour are well known. The
Tunku thrives on these attributes.
Once I saw a picture of the Tunku, treading a lonely path
and crossing a bridge in the countryside. Here was another
pilgrim, like Gandhiji, spreading the gospel of freedom and
democracy.
Gandhiji bearded the British Lion in its own den. So did
the Tunku. If the Tunku did not have to go to jail, as Gandhi
did, it was because the times were different and circumstances
had changed during the days of Malaya's freedom movement.
Allowing for these and other changes, there is a great dea.
about the Tunku which are Gandhian in ideals and outlookl
Like the Mahatma the Tunku is never ruffled. He is
gifted with infinite patience and a remarkable capacity for good
with his powers of persuasion, conciliation and compromise,
and the readiness to accommodate any reasonable point of
view.
It is this ability as the practical statesman that enabled the
Tunku to achieve Malaysia through friendly negotiation with
Britain.
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