TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

S. DURA! RAJA STNGAM
Emergency Operations Council which decided on policy
in fighting the Malayan Communist Party.
1957 - Achieved Merdeka (Independence). The title of BAPAK
KEMERDEKAAN (Father of independence) was bestowed
on him by the people. After Independence on 31stl
August 1957 became Prime Minister and Minister for
External Affairs and continued to be Chairman,Emergency
Operations Council. The University of Malaya
conferred the Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws
(September).
In September, Malaya was admitted as a member of the
United Nations.
1958 - Made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Also made goodwi'
visits to Vietnam and Thailand. In January of this year
he held discussions at Saigon with President Ngo
Dinh Diem and spoke about the close relations between
Malaya and South Vietnam. The next month he was at
Bangkok where he spoke about a new startegy to clear
the Malayan - Thai border of the Communist elementes
In March, he visited Ceylon and two months later hr
visited Japan. Received the Kedah Order of Merit (K.O.
M.) in May of this year from the late Sultan of Kedah.
Paid an official visit to the State of Brunei (September).
1959 - Resigned as Prime Minister in February to prepare fon
General Elections in August.
. Became Prime Minister for the second time (August). In
September initiated Ministry for Rural Development.
Was a State Guest of the Republic of Philippines (January).
The trip was aimed at forging unity between the
free countries of South-East Asia. It was in Manila
that the formation of the Association of South-East
Asia was first discussed.
The Aranets University, Philippines conferred the
Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (January) In
October, made an official goodwill visit for seventeen
days to the Commonwealth of Australia. It was stated
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