TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

TRIBUTE TO TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
For example, the Tunku is an anti-colonialist and like all
nationalist leaders in Asia and Africa he and his party were
propelled into power and eminence on popular anti-colonial
sentiments. But after the attainment of independence, the
Tunku did not like lesser leaders seek to maintain his popularity
by continuing to exploit the well-worn anti-colonial slogans
whenever he felt that he had to rally the people around him.
This is in contrast with some leaders who having made a mess
of things under conditions of independence; who having failed
to use the power and responsibility they had wrested
from the colonial rulers for the betterment of their people
return to beat the empty drums of anti-colonialism in an effort
to distract the people from their sorry lot.
The Tunku, like Nehru, realised that once the anti-colonial
battle was over, it was the duty of responsible leaders to accept
responsibility for whatever shortcomings there may be under
conditions of independence. A true leader is one who girds
himself to fight new battles which he has already won.
Instead of wringing his hands over the evils of colonialism,
the Tunku has, quite rightly, concentrated on trying to rectify
the many shortcomings of colonialism. There may be disagreement
on how far he has succeeded in this or whether he is
setting about it the right way but what one cannot deny is
that he and his government have tried to lay emphasis on
constructive work to improve the lot of the people.
His refusal to beat his breast and wail about the evils of
colonialism has led some of his less discerning critics to charge
him with lacking anti-colonial fervour. But the true anticolonialist
is not one who makes fierce anti-colonial speeches
but the leader who has made life a little better and more
secure for as many people as possible after the end of colonialism.
Similarly the Tunku whose political strength and influence
is rooted in the Malay masses could have consolidated and
secured his position by playing up to Malay chauvanism and
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