By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of Pertubuhan Ikatan Komuniti Selamat
KOTA KINABALU: On February 8th, we mark the 123rd anniversary of the birth of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
He was our first Prime Minister and the beloved “Father of Independence.”
It is a day for all Malaysians to remember and think about his lasting legacy. He was not just a politician.
He was a great statesman who built our nation on the foundations of kindness and respect.
Tunku truly believed in nation building.He did not see a country divided by race or religion. Instead, he saw one big family.
He often said that our diversity was our greatest strength, not a weakness. He led with a fatherly heart and always put the happiness of the people first.
He wanted a Malaysia where everyone felt they belonged. He was a leader who walked among the people and understood their daily lives.
I was told of an incident when a young journalist from a local newspaper had a one-to-one interview with him.
The journalist asked him a lot of questions, one after the other, without stopping. The Tunku paused and looked at him with a calm smile and said: “Young man, why do you ask me so many questions? Please write whatever you like. I won’t deny anything.”
This story shows how magnanimous he was. He was a man of total integrity.
He was so honest in his work that he did not fear the truth.
He did not feel the need to control or hide anything. He trusted journalists to do their job, just as he trusted the citizens of Malaysia. He was secure in who he was and what he stood for.
As we celebrate his 123rd anniversary, we should try to follow his example. We need more of his simple, straightforward grace today.
He taught us that leadership is about serving others, always!
Tunku Abdul Rahman will forever be remembered as the man who led our nation peacefully to independence in 1957, guided by courage, wisdom, and an unshakeable belief in unity.
At a time when the future of our land was uncertain, Tunku chose dialogue over division, moderation over extremism, and unity over narrow interests. His leadership laid the foundation for a sovereign, democratic, and multiracial Malaysia.
Beyond securing independence, Tunku played a vital role in nation-building. He worked tirelessly to bring together people of different races, religions, and cultures, believing that Malaysia’s strength lay in its diversity. His vision of a harmonious society, governed by the rule of law and mutual respect, remains deeply relevant today.
As we honour Tunku Abdul Rahman’s legacy, let us reflect on his values of humility, integrity, tolerance, and service to the people. May his spirit continue to inspire us to safeguard our independence, strengthen national unity, and work collectively for a just, peaceful, and prosperous Malaysia.
Let us honour him by treating each other as the family he always believed we were.
His spirit remains the true heart of our nation
