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  • Tunku: An Odyssey of a Life Well-Lived and Well-Loved by Kobkua Suwannathat Pian
  • Ooi Keat Gin
Tunku: An Odyssey of a Life Well-Lived and Well-Loved
Kobkua Suwannathat Pian
Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press, 2017.
ISBN 9-789831-008614

Between the late 1950s and early 2000s, there at least ten biographies of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (1903–90) were published. Additionally, there were scores of Tunku's semi-autobiographical writings. Moreover, in 2007, the 50th anniversary of merdeka (independence), Tunku, who played the pivotal role, was accorded two tributes on stage: the English-language Tunku the Musical, and the Malay-language piece Teater Muzikal Putra (Musical Theatre of the Prince). Significantly, Tunku the Musical bravely broke new ground in dealing with political controversy, hitherto taboo in Malaysian musicals, focusing on events leading to the formation of Malaysia (1963), Tunku's tenure as the first Malaysian prime minister (1963–71), the secession of Singapore (1965), and the 13 May 1969 tragedy. The last-mentioned remained a sensitive topic still, inviting hushed voices when spoken of, much to the amazement of Generation Y, whilst Generation Z are clueless or oblivious. On the recent 60th anniversary of merdeka, a public re-enactment was presented of the momentous events that featured Tunku in all his triumphant glory in bringing home the much-awaited and cherished dream of political freedom, independence from British colonial rule. Textbook-based memory of Tunku, 'Bapa Kemerdekaan' (Father of Independence) and 'Bapa Malaysia' (Father of Malaysia) who had gained independence for Malaya (1957) and the prime architect of Malaysia (1963) remained the only idea and image the majority of contemporary Malaysians know of this personality.

The last notable biography of Tunku in the English-language was in the early 2000s. Hence it has been more than fifteen years since a biography has been produced on Malaya/Malaysia's greatest son. Elsewhere, Tunku's legacy can be seen all over the country, from the iconic Malay-rumah structure of Muzium Negara (National Museum), the unassuming premises of the Arkib Negara (National Archives), Parliament House to the Malay welcoming ceremony of guests with [End Page 143] kompang troupe and accompanying music, Sabah and Sarawak as component states of the Federation of Malaysia, not to mention the various public places, buildings, roads that bear his name.

Thus, Tunku: An Odyssey of a Life Well-Lived and Well-Loved, the handiwork of a well-known Malaysian academic, is indeed a welcome scholarly effort in offering a biographical sketch that is neither hagiographic or highly critical, but commendably provides insightful details of all 87 years of this towering and beloved personality. It prudently balances the personal side of Tunku as a man and Tunku as a public figure, a Chief Minister and thereafter Prime Minister, then as the inaugural Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC, Organization of the Islamic Cooperation since 2011). 'You need some shell of the public life, but the deep matter of the biography is the "private life" that Henry James talks of–he meant the writer's life, the inward life.'1

And indeed the author has to a great extent succeeded in bringing forth this 'private life' and 'inward life' in this 287-page volume. It is in this delicate balancing act—of the private and the public—that the forte of this biography lies, capturing a realistic portraiture of a playboy prince who struggled for his country's independence from colonial rule and becoming its political leader. After putting down his soft-cover copy, the reader comes away with the notion of having known Tunku, personally being privy to the many anecdotes of his life. Moreover, the reader might even express a sense of regret that he did not make an effort to visit Tunku during his waning years resident in Penang.

In this biography of Tunku, his long 87-year lifetime is divided into three parts with headings such as: 'Understanding the Man Up Close', 'A Working Man: Civil Servant, Politician and Numero UNO Leader', and 'Private Citizen Extraordinaire'. The first part offers a backdrop in relating to his early life within the environs of the...

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