TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

BAPA MALAYSIA
(Tunku Ahmad bin Tuuku Mohamed)
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj is popularly known as
Bapa Malaysia. Like all leaders, Tunku Abdul Rahman has his
own streak of dogged determination and indomitable spirit,
though as a child he was not physically strong. Such characteristics
and determination have never left him— and even now,
once he has decided on a course of action then little is going to
make him deviate unless very convincing reasons can be put forward.
A touch of such determination and independence was evident
when as a nineteen year-old student entering Cambridge University
he was refused rooms. There was a certain amount of
unpleasantness and in the end it created a minor University
row. However, when rooms were offered, the Tunku politely
declined them. "I was offended at the time, but it soon passed"
he once said.
The Tunku whether by accident or design has built a reputation
for integrity and honesty of purpose. He is sincere in
his dealings and simple in his approach. In stature, Tunku Abdul
Rahman has grown from a politician to a statesman. His stand
against South Africa's apartheid policy has won Malaya respect
and the entire free world congratulated Malaya for the help it
has given the United Nations in helping to restore law and
order in the Congo.
As Prime Minister of the Malaya today and Prime Minister
of the Malaysia of to-morrow the Tunku has never lost the
common touch. No one, not even his political opponents could
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