TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

TRIBUTE TO TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
The forthcoming Merger with Singapore, Sabah, Brunei and
Sarawak is a natural and highly necessary development
in which the Tunku's characteristic share has been to announce
it, publicise it, give everyone a chance to express his opinions
about it and to pay visits to see for himself what Malaya is like; and
though the untoward speed with which the scheme has progressed
(a haste certainly forced upon him by the rising tide of 'leftist'
opportunism that flared-up in Brunei) has in some respects marred
the ordered and unhurried pace which it would have been in line
with the Tunku's character to pursue if left in peace, the fact remains
that his whole approach to the concept of Malaysia has been thoroughly
democratic in act and intention and a refreshing contrast
to Mussolini's grab of Abyssinia, Hitler's rape of Austria, or Russia's
seizure of Chekoslavakia, Poland and the Baltic States; all of which
were carried out in 'blitzkrieg' fashion by sudden onslaught and
without reference to the people most concerned. It is necessary to
view the Merger against a world-background containing such as
those comparatively recent events in order to understand its conception
and value, rather than to cavil at the imperfections that must
always occur in any work of art or achievement. Not even the
finest omelette can be prepared without the breakage of at any rate
a few eggs.
Here again the verdict of history and the test of the Prime
Minister's greatness will disclose themselves in time, for ill or well,
from the results of this bold, important and it would seem most
logical and necessary Merger of small units into the greater unity of
a Federated Malaysia; and one's admiration for the Tunku merely
increases when it is realized that he is endowed with no more powers
of divination - though with much deeper knowledge - than the rest of
us; and that he is merely doing the best he can for all concerned.
His record so far should give us every confidence in the future.
One may indeed hope that the Tunku's longer-term plan for a
'Muslim Common Market' may ultimately be carried through with
as much success and as little heart-burning. It is an idea that will
take long to attain, but an object well conceived and well worth
pursuing.
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