Description
Nationalist and anti-colonial movements have played a vital role in the political awakening of indigenous populations in many Third World nations. This is certainly true of multi-racial Malaysia which now boasts of one of the highest per capita incomes in Southeast Asia.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the author of this book, was the president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) during the crucial years leading to independence. Since then, he has worked to forge a united nation out of the varying cultural and religious traditions of the people.
In this book, the Tunku discusses the problems and difficulties faced by the party since its successful opposition to the Malayan Union proposals in 1946 and the subsequent inauguration of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1948.
UMNO's strength, the Tunku argues, has been due to the hard work and loyalty of its members-qualities he would also like to see practised by future generations.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia and popularly known as 'Bapa Malaysia' (Father of Independence), occupies a unique place in Malaysian history.
Although now in his eighties, he enjoys the same interests and pastimes which first attracted him more than sixty years ago. He still writes a weekly column in The Star newspaper. In Malaysia, the Tunku's views carry great influence, not only because of his key role in the independence struggle but also because he is one of the few public figures in the country without a vested interest in the out- come of current political controversies.
ISBN:9679781364
