Tunku Abdul Rahman: The man behind "Merdeka"

KUALA LUMPUR: When the now iconic cheers of "Merdeka" echoes, it reminds us how our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British officials in London for Independence. With him were the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), Tun Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Tun V. T. Sambanthan.
It was Aug 31, 1957, when after shedding the layers of what was the British Empire, the new Malaysia was born, barely able to hold itself up, but with the determination and persistence of soaring high.
The man who led the chorus on that day knew this and had a vision of what Malaysia was to become. He had an unbridled patriotism for the country, a passionate dedication to the nation and an unending love for its people.
A lot is known about Malaysia's "Father of Independence" Tunku Abdul Rahman with historians, politicians and biographers over the decades having written about him after browsing for clues among past speeches, historical photos, journals and recordings, but not many will know about the man he was to his family.
"Many wanted to learn about him, but to us our archives about him are etched onto our hearts and memories," shared Tunku's granddaughter, Datin Sharifah Menjelara Hussein at the commemoration of his 112 birthday recently.
"My archives of him are not written on paper or recorded on films, it is one written on smiles, laughter and sometimes tears, this is an archive I often visit when I remember him and all the sweet memories come flooding back," she explained.
"Tuk" as she affectionately called him, was always remembered for his eloquence and his skill as a speaker, however as she explained, he was a different man at home.
"He would not make his long speeches or even lecture us; it simply was not his style. He would be subtle, indirect and we often had to read between the lines," she said.
She also recalled a story about Tunku's eldest brother who was an officer with the Thai armed forces who passed away and was buried in Bangkok in 1915.
"He was naturally affected by his brothers' passing, but even we in the family did not know he had a secret longing to reunite his brother with the land of his birth," she said.
When Tunku was finally able to bring his brother's body back in 1975 to be laid in the Makam Diraja Kedah, he knew he had fulfilled one of his life's missions.
"Tunku said that now this was done, his duty was over and he was ready to leave the world," added Sharifah.
She also explained that he was a man that was ahead of his time, recognising the possibility of a female Prime Minister as early as 1959: "I for one am firmly convinced that women will have a great part to play in the Independent Malaya", she quoted.
"Some of the powerful women like Indira Gandhi admired Tuk. His eloquence and ready wit meant that he built excellent rapport with other world leaders," she said, adding cheekily that he was more eloquent with the women leaders.
She explained that her grandfather was a great leader because he was blessed with an abundance of compassion and humanity.
"He told everyone, accept me as I am, accept my weaknesses, accept my strengths, it was a message not only to us (his immediate family) but to his extended family (the Nation), he would always say to Malaysians take each other as you are, accept your weaknesses as well as your strengths," she said.
The famous lyric in the national anthem "tanah tumpahnya darahku" was penned by Tunku himself and Sharifah explained that this were not mere lyrics to him.
"That line was not a mere lyric; it was his reason for being, his cause and his inspiration. His love for the people of Malaysia meant everything to Tuk, for him there was no greater honour and privilege to serve the people that he loved," said Sharifah.
When asked who the Tunku would vote for today if he were still alive, Sharifah stole a quote from the late Prime Minister: "I am nothing without my country and my fellow Malaysians."
"This answers your question, he would vote for Malaysia, he would remind us that politicians and parties will come and go but the Nation will endure," she said.