Abdul Rahman; Malaysia’s ‘Father’ Won Its Independence
Tunku Abdul Rahman, who won independence for Malaysia from Britain in 1957 and became the nation’s first prime minister, died Thursday(6). He was 87.
He had been in a coma and died of internal bleeding.
The tunku, or prince, was prime minister until he retired in 1970 and had become known as Bapa Malaysia--the Father of Malaysia, known as Malaya before independence.
After retiring, the tunku--son of a former sultan--became secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference, made up of about 40 nations. He served at the conference’s headquarters in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia.
Despite failing health he had been writing books and a column for the Malaysia Star Daily, of which he was chairman.
His last major public appearance was during the campaign for the October general elections, when he urged people to oust Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and vote in the opposition Semangat 46 Party.
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