Father of Independence
(3 March 2003)

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Tunku Abdul Rahman was born at the 'Istana Tiga
Tingkat' (Three Storey Palace) in Alor Setar, Kedah on the 8th of
February, 1903. He was the 20th child of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halimshah,
the 24th Sultan of Kedah. Tunku's mother, Nerang, better known as Che
Menjalara, was a descendent of Chao Phya Maha Kota, Thailand. Although
Tunku lived at the palace grounds, he frequently slipped out to play
with the village boys. His moderate personality with a good sense of
humor and down to earth manner in which he carried himself, made him
often known as 'The Prince" with a common touch.
When he was ten, his mother sent him to stay with his
eldest brother, Tunku Yusuf in Bangkok and he had the opportunity to
study at the Debsurin School. However, when Tunku Yusuf passed away,
Tunku had to return to Kedah. He then studied in a Malay school for a
year and then joined the Penang Free School.
When he was seventeen, Tunku left for England to
continue his studies, on a Kedah Government Scholarship. He also
represented his college in his favorite game, football. In 1926, Tunku
returned to Kedah with a bachelor's degree in law and history from the
Cambridge University which he obtained in 1925. 4 months later, Tunku
was sent back to England by his elder brother, Tunku Ibrahim, who was
the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Kedah at that time to continue with
his law studies at the Inner Temple. In view of the increasing number
of Malay students, he got together with the others and formed The
Malay Association of Great Britain and was elected secretary of the
association. Due to lack of concentration, after 5 years he failed in
his studies and returned to Malaya.
Tunku chose to join the Civil Service as a cadet in
the Legal Advisor's Office in Alor Star and then as Assistant District
Officer and District Officer in several areas in Kedah.
In 1933, Tunku married a Chinese lady who became a
Muslim, Meriam and had two children, Tunku Khadijah and Tunku Ahmad
Nerang. Not long after that, when Tunku was in charge of Kuala Nerang,
Meriam died of malaria, in a time when he was trying hard to improve
health and medical conditions there. Another attempt to complete his
law studies in England was made in 1938. While there, Tunku married
Violet Coulson from England, but the union was short-lived. When the
Second World War broke out Tunku had to return to Kedah. He was
appointed District Officer of Sungai Petani and later of Kulim. In
1939, he married Sharifah Rodziah bt. Syed Alwi Barakbah and they lead
a happy married life until the end of Tunku's life.
Tunku was determined to finish his studies. In 1947,
he went back to England and this time he returned happily after
successfully completing his studies at the Inns of Court.
Soon after that, Tunky was made Chairman of the United
Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Kedah. When Dato' Oon bin Jaafar
resigned as UMNO President, Tunku was chosen to lead the party. Among
historic events guided by Tunku was the political alliance of UMNO and
the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) in 1952 and with the Malayan
Indian Congress (MIC) who joined the Alliance in 1955. On the same
year, Tunku also declared an amnesty for communist terrorists who
surrendered. 5 years later, the concerted efforts of all Malayans
succeeded in ending the Emergency caused by communist terrorism.
Efforts in freeing the country from being ruled
further by the British were finally accomplished. On the midnight of
30th August 1957 at the Selangor Club Padang, the Malayan flag was
hoisted taking place of the Union Jack. The next morning, the 31st of
August, at the Merdeka Stadium, Tunku read the Proclamation of
Independence followed by the shouts of "Merdeka' which were joyously
echoed by thousands who were there and the millions who followed the
proceedings through the radio.
Nearly 3 years later, Tunku mooted the formation of
Malaysia, to comprise Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak and
Brunei. Brunei decided not to join the formation. Although the
Philippines and Indonesia opposed, Malaysia was successfully formed in
1963. In 1965, Singapore decided to leave Malaysia and that decision
saddened Tunku.
Tunku then relinquished his position as the first
Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1970 to his deputy Tun Abdul Razak after
the race riot outbreak on the 13th May 1969. Even though Tunku was not
holding any position in the government, he continued to contribute
through his books, newspaper columns and occasional speeches. Tunku
also received numerous honors, awards and honorary degrees for his
role and effort from the State and Federal Government, universities,
charity organizations and foreign governments.
The late Tunku Abdul Rahman passed away in 1990 at the
age of 87 years old.
Technical Details
Date of Issue |
3 March 2003 |
Denomination |
30 sen, 50 sen,
RM1.00 (2 designs) |
Stamp Size |
30mm X 40mm |
Miniature Sheet
Denomination |
RM1.00 |
Miniature Sheet
Size |
100mm X 70mm |
Stamp Size in
Miniature Sheet |
30mm X 40mm |
Perforation |
14 |
Sheet Content |
20 stamps |
Paper |
SPM Watermarked,
Phosphor Coated |
Printing Process |
Lithography |
Source :
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