Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s granddaughter, Tengku Rozani Tengku Ahmad Nerang, says he would be disappointed that Malaysia has not lived up to his vision.
The country’s first prime minister was instrumental in helping Malaya gain independence from the British in 1957, and for convincing Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia in 1963.
“Tok, as we called him, wanted a nation built on integrity. That was of the utmost importance to him and the other leaders at the time,” said Tengku Rozani, 62.
“Tok also never differentiated between race or religion. He saw a Malaysia with room for everyone to live harmoniously.
“Wherever he went, he would visit people of all races, creeds, and standing. It was the same for the visitors to his home, even after he retired as prime minister.
“We need the country to return to what he and the other leaders at the time wanted Malaysia to be.”
Giving an example of how important integrity and trustworthiness were to Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tengku Rozani shared the time her father, Tengku Ahmad Nerang, was taught a harsh lesson.
When Tengku Ahmad Nerang was young, he would sometimes cycle around, selling Umno magazines to raise funds. Some people would pay more than the cost of the magazine, as they wanted to donate to Umno’s cause.
“After a long and hot day, Dad used 15 sen from the proceeds to buy ice kacang,” shared Tengku Rozani.
“Upon returning home, he told my grandfather what he had done. Tok was furious and asked Dad to pay back the 15 sen at once.
“He told Dad that he was in a position of trust and that it should not be abused, not even for one sen.
“But that was my grandfather. To him, a person must be of good character, integrity, and trustworthy.”
Tengku Rozani, who usually visited Tunku Abdul Rahman during her school holidays, remembers him as someone who, literally, would not kill a mosquito.
“I used to pick chillies with him in his garden. We would be ‘eaten alive’ by mosquitoes. So, he sprayed mosquito repellent on me. I protested: ‘Tok! I am not a mosquito!’
“His reply was that if I smelled like mosquito repellent, they would not attack us. He did not have the heart to kill them.”
Tengku Rozani admitted she misses her grandfather very much, especially during Merdeka and Malaysia Day.
“Like Tok, my wish for this Malaysia Day is simple. For us to rejoice in our differences, learn from each other and to laugh at ourselves, and live in harmony.
“It has been proven, time and again, that we can. Look at how we would unite in our hour of need. Please do not let a few bad apples sow the seeds of distrust, though they make the loudest noise,” she added.
