# Tunku Abdul Rahman

> first Prime Minister of Malaysia (1903-1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q296317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296317)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunku_Abdul_Rahman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tunku-abdul-rahman

## Summary
Tunku Abdul Rahman was a Malaysian politician and lawyer who served as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970. Born into the Kedah royal family, he played a pivotal role in leading the nation to independence and shaping its early political and legal frameworks. His leadership established Malaysia as a sovereign state and earned him numerous international honors, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 8, 1903, in Alor Setar (then part of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and Kedah Sultanate)
- **Nationality:** Malaysia
- **Education:** Debsirin School; St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge
- **Known for:** Serving as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia and leading the country to independence in 1957
- **Employer(s):** Government of Malaysia (Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs); Alliance Party; United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
- **Field(s):** Politics, Law, Diplomacy

## Contributions
Tunku Abdul Rahman's primary contribution was the political unification and independence of Malaysia. He led the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, merging Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo, and Singapore (until 1965).
- **Formation of the First Rahman Cabinet:** Established in 1955, this cabinet laid the groundwork for the transition to self-governance.
- **Independence Leadership:** As the head of the Alliance Party, he negotiated the end of British colonial rule, becoming Prime Minister on August 31, 1957.
- **Foreign Policy:** He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1957 to 1959 and again from 1960 to 1970, establishing Malaysia's diplomatic relations globally.
- **Religious Governance:** He chaired the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs from 1968 to 1970, integrating Islamic principles into the national administration.
- **Political Party Leadership:** He was a key member and leader within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Alliance Party, which dominated Malaysian politics during his tenure.

## FAQs
**What was Tunku Abdul Rahman's full name and royal title?**
His full name was Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, and he held the noble title of Tengku. He is also known by aliases such as Prince Abdul Rahman and Tunku Abd ul-Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

**Which educational institutions did Tunku Abdul Rahman attend?**
He received his early education at Debsirin School before traveling to the United Kingdom to study at St Catharine's College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.

**What major awards and honors did Tunku Abdul Rahman receive?**
He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1960 and the King Faisal International Prize in Service to Islam in 1983. Other distinctions include the Order of the Crown of the Realm, the Order of Sikatuna, the Order of the Crown of Brunei, and the Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in 1987 for service to Australian-Malaysian relations.

**What political positions did Tunku Abdul Rahman hold during his career?**
He served as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970 and concurrently held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs during two separate terms. Additionally, he was a Member of the Dewan Rakyat and chaired the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs.

**Who were Tunku Abdul Rahman's immediate family members?**
His father was Abdul Hamid Halim of Kedah, and his spouse was Sharifah Rodziah Syed Alwi Barakbah. He had a brother named Badlishah of Kedah and a sibling named Tunku Kassim Sultan Abdul Hamid.

## Why They Matter
Tunku Abdul Rahman is the foundational figure of modern Malaysia, transforming a collection of British colonies into a unified, sovereign nation. His leadership during the transition from colonial rule to independence set the constitutional and political precedents that continue to define the country's federal constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system. Without his diplomatic acumen and political unification efforts, the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia would lack the stable, multi-ethnic nation of Malaysia. His tenure established the Alliance Party's dominance and the framework for Malaysia's diverse cultural integration, influencing generations of leaders and the nation's trajectory in international organizations like the UN and ASEAN.

## Notable For
- **First Prime Minister:** Serving as the inaugural Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970.
- **Independence Architect:** Leading the negotiations that resulted in Malaysia's independence on August 31, 1957.
- **International Recognition:** Receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1960) and the King Faisal International Prize (1983).
- **Royal Lineage:** Being a member of the Kedah Sultanate, holding the title Tengku and the name Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
- **Legal Background:** Practicing as a lawyer and holding an academic background from St Catharine's College, Cambridge.
- **Diplomatic Service:** Serving twice as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
- **Religious Leadership:** Chairing the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs.
- **Awards:** Receiving the Order of the Crown of the Realm and the Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia.
- **Political Affiliation:** Founding and leading the Alliance Party and being a key figure in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Tunku Abdul Rahman was born on February 8, 1903, in Alor Setar, which was then part of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the Kedah Sultanate. He was born into royalty as the son of Abdul Hamid Halim of Kedah. His full name was Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, and he held the noble title of Tengku. He received his early education at Debsirin School before pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom. He attended St Catharine's College, a college of the University of Cambridge, where he studied law. His native language was Malay, and he was fluent in English.

### Political Career and Leadership
Tunku Abdul Rahman's political career began with his involvement in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Alliance Party. He became the leader of the Alliance Party, which was formed in 1957. In 1955, he formed the First Rahman Cabinet, which was a precursor to the independent government. On August 31, 1957, he became the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, a position he held until September 22, 1970. During his tenure, he also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from August 31, 1957, to February 2, 1959, and again from September 1, 1960, to September 22, 1970. He was a Member of the Dewan Rakyat and served as the chairman of the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs from October 17, 1968, to September 22, 1970. His political leadership was instrumental in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.

### International Recognition and Awards
Tunku Abdul Rahman received numerous international awards and honors for his contributions to peace, diplomacy, and service to Islam. In 1960, he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award. In 1983, he received the King Faisal International Prize in Service to Islam. He was also honored with the Order of the Crown of the Realm, the Order of Sikatuna, the Order of the Crown of Brunei, the Order of Independence, the Order of Chula Chom Klao, and the National Order of Vietnam. In 1987, he was made an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to Australian-Malaysian relations. He also received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown and the Companion of Honour.

### Personal Life and Legacy
Tunku Abdul Rahman was married to Sharifah Rodziah Syed Alwi Barakbah. He had siblings, including Badlishah of Kedah and Tunku Kassim Sultan Abdul Hamid. He passed away on December 6, 1990, in Penang. He was buried at the Kedah Royal Mausoleum. His legacy is preserved in various encyclopedias and databases, including the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, the Encyclopædia Britannica, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. He is remembered as a key figure in the history of Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

### Identity and Classification
Tunku Abdul Rahman is classified as a human, a politician, and a lawyer. He was a male and a Sunni Muslim. His citizenship was Malaysia. He is distinct from Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan. His occupation is listed as politician and lawyer. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation. His given name is Abd al-Rahman. He is known by various aliases in different languages, including Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Korean. His image is available on Wikimedia Commons, and his signature is also documented. He has a Wikipedia title "Tunku Abdul Rahman" and is featured in various languages on Wikipedia.

## References

1. Australian honours system
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Open Library
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
7. Find a Grave
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Proleksis Encyclopedia
11. Croatian Encyclopedia
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. National Archives Identifier
14. IdRef
15. Quora
16. LIBRIS