TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

TRIBUTE TO TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
the Malay Rulers and States of all but nominal authority
and took a leading part in the formation of the United
Malays National Organisation (UMNO), when the
Malayan Union gave way to the Federation.
1947 - Went to England to continue his law studies.
1948 - The shooting war against communist terrorists (The
Emergency) started.
1949 - Called to the Bar (Inner Temple) London at the age of
46. Returned to Kedah and was seconded to Federal Lega
Department as a Deputy Public Prosecutor. Became
Chairman ofthe UMNO, in Kedah.
1951 - Took over the leadership ofthe United Malay Nationalist
Organisation (President of UMNO). Resigned from
the Malayan Civil Service.
1952 - Appointed to both Executive and Legislative Councils of
the Federation as an Unofficial member.
1954 - Leader ofthe Alliance Party (UMNO, Malayan Chinese
Association and Malayan Indian Congress.)
1955 - In the first Malayan Elections led the Alliance to victory
(July 27th ). Elected to the Federal Legislative Council.
Became Chief Minister and Minister for Home Affairs/
Headed Alliance Delegation to London to negotiate Independence
for the Federation (December). He went
with Tunku Kassim, his half-brother and a Federal
Councillor to an invited jungle-clearing in Kedah
to discuss ending the emergency but no communist
leader turned up. On 28th December on another invitation
he with Tun Sir Tan Cheng-Lock and Mr. David Marshall,
the Chief Minister of Singapore, met at Baling, Chin
Peng, the Secretary General of the Malayan Communist
Party, Chen Tien and Rashid bin Mydin. The talks
were unsuccessful and Chin Peng returned to the jungle.
1956 - In reshuffle of Cabinet, also took portfolios of Minister
for Internal Defence and Security and was also Chairman,
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