Tunku Great IDEAS Final Print Version Feb 2011

8/3/2019 Tunku Great IDEAS Final Print Version Feb 2011

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The Tunkus Great Ideas

February 2011

ByLenard Lim Yangli

with foreword byTunku Abidin Muhriz

IDEAS REPORT


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The Tunkus great ideas

ByLenard Lim Yangli

Foreword by

Tunku Abidin Muhriz


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Contents

About the author 3

Acknowledgements 3

Foreword 4

Introduction 5

Rule of law 6

Limited government 9

Free market 12

Individual liberty 16

Conclusion 20

Bibliography 21

About the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs 22


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February2011IDEASMalaysiaInstituteforDemocracyandEconomicAffairs(IDEAS)D6TamanTunku,BukitTunku50480KualaLumpur,MalaysiaEmail:[email protected]:+60362018896/8897

Fax:0362110222

LenardLimYangliconductedthisstudyduringashortstintatIDEASbetweenDecem-ber2010andJanuary2011.HeisnowcompletinghisstudiesatMiddleburyCollege,USA,majoringinHistory.

About the author

Acknowledgements

TheauthorisindebtedtoArkibNegara,especiallytheMemorialTunkuAbdulRahmanLibrary,andPerpustakaanNegarafortheircooperationandassistancetowardsthisstudy.

ISBN978-967-0143-04-0


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1 Proclamation of Independence, 31 August 1957

2 Preamble of the Rukunegara

Introduction

... with Gods blessing shallbe forever a sovereign,democratic and independentState founded upon theprinciples of liberty and justiceand ever seeking the welfareand happiness of its people

and the maintenance of a justpeace among all nations.1

... Ensuring a liberal approachto her rich and diverse culturaltradition.2

TheProclamationofIndependenceandthe

RukunegaraareundoubtedlyamongMalaysiasmost

importantdocuments.Theformerwasreadoutby

TunkuAbdulRahmanonthatfatefuldayinAugust,

1957,markingthereignofhispremiership.Thelatter

wasreadout12yearslaterduringTunkuAbdul

RahmanslastofcialMerdekadaycelebrationas

PrimeMinister.

Unfortunately,justlikeTunkuAbdulRahmanhimself,

bothdocumentshavenotbeengiventhenecessary

scholarshiptheydeserve.Thisstudyseeksto

correctthat.IbelievethatTunkuAbdulRahman

wasaclassicalliberal,andthathesubscribedtothe

conceptsofruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,freemarketandindividualliberty.Throughexamining

TunkuAbdulRahmanswriting,speechesand

interviews,Iwillseektovalidatemyhypothesis.

Thisstudyisgroupedintochaptersaccordingto

thefourmainprinciplesofclassicalliberalismthe

ruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,freemarketand

individualliberty.EachchapterwillexploreTunku

AbdulRahmansstandontherespectiveconcept

anddemonstratehisbeliefsthroughexcerptsofhis

writings,speeches,interviewsandalsoanecdotes

fromothersources.Thestudywillthencomeup

withanoverallconclusionattheend.

Oneshortcomingofthisstudyistheincompleteness

oforiginalliterature.MostoftheliteraturethatI

haveexaminedisinEnglish-eithertheTunkusown

writingsortranslations,particularlyofhisspeeches

duringhispremiership.Furthermore,Ihavenot

beenabletoexamineallofTunkuAbdulRahmans

speeches,especiallythosefrom1960to1970asthey

arenotallavailableattheMemorialTunkuAbdul

Rahmanslibrary,ArkibNegara,ortheNational

Library.


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Rule of law

InhislastnationallybroadcastedspeechasPrime

MinisterdeliveredontheeveofMerdekadayin

1970,TunkuAbdulRahmansolemnlyurgedMalaysians

toobserveveprinciplesoftheRukunegara before

announcingthatTunRazakwillbereplacinghim

soonasPrimeMinister. 1Tunkusmovingspeech

providedapreviewtotheRukunegara,whichwas

laterproclaimedthefollowingdaybytheYangdi-

PertuanAgonginconjunctionwiththeMerdekaDaycelebrationof1970.

TheRukunegara,formulatedinthewakeofthe

tragedyof13May1969,espousesthevisionof

Malaysiaandveguidingprinciples,namely:Beliefin

God;LoyaltytoKingandCountry;Upholdingthe

Constitution;SovereigntyoftheLaw;andGood

BehaviourandMorality.Likewise,theseprinciplesof

theRukunegara alsottinglydescribeTunkuAbdulRahman.Oncedubbedasthenationsconscience,

theGod-fearingTunkuwasarmbelieverin

constitutionalismandtheruleoflaw. 2

Growingupasaprince,TunkuAbdulRahman

benettedfromarelativelyprivilegedupbringing.

HereceivedhisearlyeducationinBangkokand

subsequentlythePenangFreeSchoolpriortogaining

admittanceatStCatharinesCollegeatCambridge

Universitytoreadhistoryandlaw.

Uponnishinghisstudies,TunkuAbdulRahman

workedasaDistrictOfcerinKedah.Hewould

laterreturntoEnglandtwicetocompletehisstudies

atInnerTemple,eventuallyqualifyingfortheBarin

1947attheageof46.TunkuAbdulRahmanreturned

toMalaysiain1949andworkedattheLegalOfce

inAlorStarbeforebecomingaDeputyPublic

ProsecutorinKualaLumpur.Assuch,TunkuAbdul

Rahmansupbringingandcareergreatlycontributed

towardshisappreciationoftheruleoflaw.

Theconceptoftheruleoflaw,whicharguesthat

everyonecouldbejudged,hasalongaccompanying

historytoit.Whilecommonlyattributedtothe

AncientGreekphilosophersPlatoandAristotle,the

conceptoftheruleoflawhasalsosproutedorbeen

afrmedindependentlyinothercivilizationssuchas

theChinese,thePersians,theArabsandtheEnglish.

Infact,ancientMalaykingdomsacknowledged

theimportanceoftheruleoflaw.Clauseson

theTerengganuInscriptionStone(Batu Bersurat

Terengganu)of1303statethateventheRuleris

subjectedtoahigherlaw.

Indeedeveryoneshouldbesubjectedtothesameset

ofrulesandlaws.Asystemofgovernmentinwhich

allpersons,includingthoseinpositionsofpower,areaccountableunderthelawisthebestsafeguard

againstdictatorshipandtotalitarianism.DavidBoaz

1 For the full speech, see Face The Future With Faith and WithoutFear in Victor Morais, Selected Speeches. (Petaling Jaya: PerchetakanTenggara at Malayan Printers, 1967), 58-60

2 Tunku & The Star exhibition at Memorial Tunku Abdul RahmanPutra The Star. December 15, 2010. Available at http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=central&file=/2010/ 12/15/central/7613585 (Ac-

cessed 29 December, 2010)


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1 David Boaz, Key Concepts of Libertarianism. Available at http://www.cato.org/pub_ display.php?pub_id=5758 (Accessed on January2, 2011)

2 Kua Kia Soong, K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD,2002), 134-135

3 Speech to Federal Legislative Council on July 10, 1957. Publishedin The Straits Times, July 11, 1957. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words.(Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76

4 The Malay Mail, September 18, 1961. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words.(Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76

oftheCatoInstitutefurtherelaboratestheconcept

ofruleoflawwhenhearguesthatthelawsshould

begenerallyapplicableanddevelopedlegalrules,

notbyarbitrarycommands,andthatthoserules

shouldprotectthefreedomofindividualstopursue

happinessintheirownways,notaimatanyparticular

resultoroutcome.1

InaninterviewwithformerFarEasternEconomic

ReviewKualaLumpurBureauChiefVeerasingam

Kukathas,betterknownbyhispennameK.Das,

TunkuAbdulRahman(TAR)hadthistosaywhen

askedtodenetheruleoflaw:

TAR:Youmustobservethelaw,respectanduphold

thelaw,thatishowitissupposedtobe.Torespect

theruleoflaw,youdonthavetobealawyer.We

knowtheruleofthelawissupposedtoprovide

justiceandsoon.Weknowallthat,butthereare

certainquestionsthathavetodowithjusticewith

fairplay

Das:ThewayIunderstandit,theruleoflawisthe

rulebylawwhichobservetheprinciplesofnatural

justice.

TAR:Thatisthemainthingnaturaljustice.

Das:Ifyougobeyondthat,itisonlyalegality.

TAR:Thatsright. 2

ForTunkuAbdulRahman,theruleoflawwasof

utmostimportance.Whileghtingforindependence,

TunkuAbdulRahmanwonovertheFederal

LegislativeCounciltoacceptthenewconstitution

foranindependentMalayawithhisspeech:

TheConstitutionprovidestheframeworkfora

happyandcontentedFederation.Letusmakeit

workandbuildourselvesandourdescendents

aShangri-lawherebywecanallliveinpeace,

happinessandprosperity.3

TunkuAbdulRahmanstronglybelievedthatthe

constitutionwouldprovidethenewlyindependent

Malayawithastrongfoundationtobuildagreat

andprosperousnation.Furthermore,inaspeech

deliveredtotheConferenceofAsianJuristinTokyo

in1961,Tunkuarguedthattheruleoflawwas

fundamentaltowardsmaintainingpeaceandsecurity:

Itis,therefore,thedutyofbothmenandthe

nationofmeninrelationtotheirownStateand

ofnationsintherelationtoanothertospareno

efforttosustaintheruleoflawtoensurethereign

ofpeace.

WeinMalayahavearmandenduringrespectfor

theruleoflaw,andclearlydenedourConstitution

asthesupremelawoftheFederation

Itisourrmbelief,enshrinedinprincipleand

provedbyexperience,thattheindependenceofthe

authorityandintegrityoflawisanessentialbasisfor

democracy,bindingandprotectingboththestateandthecitizens.4


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NoonewasabovethelawforTunkuAbdulRahman.

Infact,thisisparticularlytrueforthepeoplewhoare

responsibleforcreatingthelaws.Whenrecallingthe

incidentofSelangorMenteriBesar,DatoSeriHarun

Idriswhorefusedtoattendthecourttoreceivehis

judgmentonbeingfoundguiltyofcorruptiondueto

abuseofstatefunds,TunkuAbdulRahmandidnot

mincehiswords:

Thelawsofthecountryaremadebythe

Governmentandmostofthepeopleinthe

GovernmentbelongtoUMNO.Assuchthepeople

whomadethelawshouldabidebythem.1

IfUMNOmembersdisregardedtheconstitution

andthelaw,includingcourtorders,thentheycould

notexpectanythingbetterfromothers.2

BecauseofhisroyalupbringingwitnessingtheSultan

havingabsolutepower,TunkuAbdulRahmanwaswell

awareofthedangersofthemonarchsbeingabove

thelaw.ForTunkuAbdulRahman,theConstitutionis

thesupremelawoftheland,andthemonarchsare

notaboveit:

Justastheconstitutionensuresthathisofce

isrespected,sotoomustaRulerrespectthe

Constitution.3

Assuch,whenthenPrimeMinisterTunDrMahathir

beganhiscrusadeagainstthemonarchsbyusing

thealready-curtailedmainstreammediatohighlight

variousincidentsandabuseswhichhadallegedly

beenperpetrated,TunkuAbdulRahmanactually

voicedamodicumofsupporttowardschangesinthe

Constitutiontorectifysomeoftheabuses:

Inthisdemocratic,egalitarianageitisundesirable

thatanyoneshouldbecompletelyabovethelaw.

IftheRuleristobemadeliable,asinthecaseofa

privateperson,undertheprovisionofthecriminal

lawofMalaysia(whichisaFederallaw),then

appropriateconstitutionalamendmentisnecessary.4

Itisunfortunate,however,thatthechanges

introducedatthattimeresultedonlyinafurther

strengtheningoftheexecutive.Therealneed

-improvingtheeffectivenessofourcheckand

balanceinstitutions-wasnotproperlyaddressed.

Nonetheless,TunkuAbdulRahmanremained

consistenttilltheendonthesupremacyofthe

Constitutionandtheimportanceoftheruleoflaw.

PerhapsthebestexampleofTunkuAbdulRahmans

commitmentisdemonstratedinhisMerdekaday

speechof1969shortlyafteroneofthedarkest

periodsofhispremiership:

Theconstitutionissupremeanditmustbeupheld

byallirrespectiveofclass,creedorcolour,itisalso

apermanentguaranteeofstabilityandcontinuityin

thelifeofthisnation.5

1 The Harun Affair, The Star, 6 March 1978

2 Looking back at 1978, The Star, 1 January 1979

3 The Ruler and Their Responsibility, The Star, 13 July 1975

4 Review the Constitution, The Star, 31 August 1984

5 Merdeka day speech delivered on 31 August, 1969


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1 From an interview with Halinah Todd. Published inNew StraitsTimes, February 8, 1983. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words. (Malaysia:NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 84. Note that Tunku Abdul Rahmanalso counted his Deputy Ministers, and as such also counted DrMahathirs Deputy Ministers

2 After his landslide victory in the General Elections of March 2004,

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi appointed 33 Ministers, 38 DeputyMinisters and even created 22 new positions of Parliamentary Secre-taries.

Limited government

InmytimewehadaCabinetof13Ministers.Even

thentheydidnthaveenoughwork.Whattheydo

nowwith45,Idontknow.1

InhisinterviewwiththeNewStraitsTimesin

1983,TunkuAbdulRahmanwasexasperatedatthe

sizeofCabinetofthenPrimeMinisterDatoSeri

DrMahathirMohamad.Imaginehisdisgustwere

hearoundtondoutthatunderPrimeMinisterDatoSeriAbdullahAhmadBadawi,thesizeofthe

ministerialranksmorethandoubledtoanalltime

highof93!2

Fortheauthor,thegovernmentisaninstitution

towhichcitizensdelegatetheauthoritytogovern.

Nonetheless,governmentisapowerfulinstitution

anditcaneasilybecomeadangerousone,especially

whenitcancoercecitizensintoobedience,subvertingtheverypeoplewhobestowedupon

themtheauthoritytogovern.Topreventsuch

coercion,thegovernmentmustbelimited.

Theconceptoflimitedgovernmentarguesthatthe

powersofthegovernmentmustbeconstrained,

usuallythroughawrittenconstitutionthatboth

enumeratesandlimitsexecutivepowerwithchecks

andbalances.InMalaysia,thesechecksandbalancesarenormallypresentintheformoftheJudiciary,

theLegislatureandourconstitutionalmonarchy,

particularlytheinstitutionoftheConferenceof

Rulers.

AsatrainedlawyerthroughtheBritishsystem,

TunkuAbdulRahmanstudiedtheseparationof

powersbetweentheExecutive,theJudiciaryand

theLegislature.TunkuAbdulRahmanperfectly

understoodtheimportanceofcheckandbalances.

Whilecommentingontheexecutive,TunkuAbdul

RahmanelaboratestheroleoftheYangdi-Pertuan

AgongandtheCabinet:

TheauthorityofthecrownisvestedintheKing,but

theexecutivepowerofthemonarchisexercisedby

thePrimeMinisterandhisCabinet.3

Despitehisroyalheritage,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas

clearabouttheroleoftheRulers.Healwaysupheld

thattheConstitutionisthesupremelawofthe

land,andthattherulersarenotaboveit.Hisdeep

fascinationwiththestoryofRajaBersiong,loosely

basedontheHikayat Merong Mahawangsa,provides

usinsightsintohisstandaboutpower,theRulersand

thepeople.Inthestory,theRuler,RajaOngMaha

Peritadevelopsatasteforhumanblood.Overtime,

hegrewfangsandbeganattackingthepeopleof

hiskingdomtofeastonthem.Intheend,thetown

peoplebecamefuriousandkilledtheRuler.Indeed,TunkuAbdulRahmanstronglybelievedthatthe

peopleofMalaysiatrulyheldpower:

3 Malaysias Monarch: Democratic Symbol and Basis for StableGovernment, The Star, 6 July 1975


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1 Princes and Politics, The Star, 23 January 1978

2 Plight of New Muslims Beyond the Fringe After Conversion, TheStar, 18 August 1975

3 That British Newspaper Report On Our Next King: All Spite andVenom, The Star, 5 March 1984

Theconstitutionimplieswithoutroomfor

contradictionthatthoughtheSultansaresovereign

headsofstatetheyhavenopowertorule.The

powerliesinthehandsofthepeoplewhothrough

theirrepresentativesrunthegovernmentofthe

nationandthestates.1

Thepeoplehaveanunquestionablerighttoexpect

thatthegovernmentandMPstheyelect,andthe

ofcersofthecivilservice,whosesalariestheypay,

shall,inreturnforthecondenceandtrustthey

havereceived,honourtheobligationstheyhavetothepeople,andthatmeanstoallcitizensof

Malaysia.2

IrepeatthattherealRulersofMalaysiaarethe

peoplewhoundertheConstitutionassumepowers

completeandabsolute,andsuchpowersasthey

wieldcanendtheruleofanyRuleratamoment's

notice.3

TunkuAbdulRahmanalsosupportedseparationof

powerwithin thevariousbranchesofstatepower.

Forexample,withintheExecutivebranchTunku

AbdulRahmansawthecivilservicesroleasthe

vehicletocarryoutthepoliciesofthegovernmentof

theday.TheirroleisseparatefromtheCabinet,and

assuch,theyshouldneverinterferewithanydecision

makingprocesses.Therefore,thecivilservantsare

nevertobeblamedformerelycarryingoutorders,shouldtherebeanymistakeinthepoliciesofthe

government:

Thefunctionofagoodcivilserviceistoensurethat

theprogressandwell-beingofthecountrywillbe

alwaysmaintained,andthatitwillcarryoutpolicies

ofthegovernmentinpower,subjectalwaystothe

constitution.4

IhaveinformedtheHousebeforethattheduties

andresponsibilitiesofGovernmentofcersareto

managetheday-to-dayaffairsoftheGovernment

machineryandnevertointerferewithpolicy.

We(theCabinet)haveneverbeeninuencedbytheirpolicy.Oncertainoccasions,however,

weaskthemfortheiradviceanditisuptothe

Governmenttoacceptsuchadviceornot.

ButthepolicymustremaintheGovernmentsit

istheGovernmentsresponsibility.Ifitisproved

wrong,thentheMinistersstandtobeblamed,but

nevertheGovernmentservants.5

WhenhewasstillPrimeMinister,andassuchpart

oftheExecutivebranchofgovernment,TunkuAbdul

Rahmanrespectedandupheldtheconceptofthe

separationofpowersinthegovernment.Inaspeech

commemoratingTunkuAbdulRahman,JusticeDato

JamesFoonggavetwoanecdotesofthisseparation.6

TherstincidentwaswhenTunkuAbdulRahman

unsuccessfullytriedtosueaprominentpartyleader

ofthenowdefunctPartiNegarafordefamation.TheHighCourtJudge,whojustthreemonthsearlierhad

beenappointedafterbeingrecommendedbyTunku

4 Power-seekers in the government, Viewpoints, 58

5 Speech in Dewan Rakyat. Published in The Straits Times, December15, 1962

6 Late Bloomer With Great Timing, Justice Dato James Foong, 11June 2008. Available at http://aliran.com/764.html (Accessed on January3, 2011)


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AbdulRahman,dismissedthecaseduetothelackof

evidence.Althoughdisappointed,TunkuAbdulRahman

acceptedthedecisiongracefullyanddidnotsubmit

anappealnorcommentnegativelytothemedia.

ThesecondincidentwaswhenTunkuAbdulRahman

attemptedtorecommendanoldfriendtobecome

aHighCourtJudge.TheChiefJusticehowever,

voicedstrongreservationsoverthesuitabilityof

thecandidate.TunkuAbdulRahmanacceptedthis

opinionandwithdrewhissuggestion,ratherthan

insistonthenarrowinterpretationofArticle122B

oftheFederalConstitutionwhichsaysthataPrime

MinisteristoconsulttheChiefJusticebefore

tenderinghisadvicetotheYangdi-PertuanAgong

ontheappointmentofaJudge.TunkuAbdulRahman

perfectlyunderstoodtheroleandthepowersof

theJudiciary,aselaboratedinhisspeechtothe

ConferenceofAsianJuristinTokyo:

TheConstitutionalsoassertstheindependenceof

ourCourtsandJudges,andempowerstheSupreme

Courtwiththejurisdictionofinterpretationofthe

Constitutionitself,whichmustbedeclaredinopen

court.1

NeitherdidTunkuAbdulRahmaninterferewith

theLegislativebranchofthegovernment.Tunku

AbdulRahmanopinedthattheLegislativebranch

ofgovernment,composedbytheMembersof

Parliament,isindependentandultimatelyanswerable

tothepeopleofMalaysia:

Inactualfact,membersareentitledtovoteanyway

theyliketosupportortoopposeanyBillpresented

intheHouse.ThisishowParliamentworks.There

isnoreasonablecauseforexpellingmemberswho

voteagainstaBill.2

Wemustrespectthewishesofthepeople.Thisis

theveryessenceofdemocracy.Menintheirofcial

capacitywithpowervestedinthemshouldalways

bemindfulofthefeelingsofothers,particularlythe

smallman.3

1 The Malay Mail, September 18, 1961. Compiled in Tunku: In HisWords. (Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76

2 Kelantan, Pas And Asri, The Star, 19 December 1977

3 The Essence of Democracy, The Star, 24 December 1984

I repeat that the real Rulers

of Malaysia are the people

who under the Constitution

assume powers complete

and absolute, and such

powers as they wield can

end the rule of any Ruler ata moments notice.


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1 See Economic Planning in KS Jomo, Growth and structural changes inthe Malaysian Economy. (Hampshire: Macmillan, 1990), 109-110. KS Jomois a Malaysian economist who is the UN Assistant Secretary-General forEconomic Development at the time of writing.

2 Speech at the dinner at the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, August19, 1961.

Free market

Allsocietyneedstoengageineconomicactivity

tosurviveandourish,andthisisespeciallytrue

formodernsocieties.Oneofthemostimportant

everydayeconomicactivitiesistransaction.A

transactionisaneconomicactivitybetweentwoor

morevoluntaryparties.Forthattransactiontooccur,

eachpartymustrstandforemosthavetherights

topropertybeforetheyhavetherightstoexchange

propertybymutualagreement.

Allpartiesundertaketheexchangebecauseeach

expectstogainfromit.Trade,orvoluntaryexchange,

isengagedinpreciselybecausebothpartiesbenet;if

theydidnotexpecttogain,theywouldnotagreeto

theexchange.

Afreemarketisamarketwherethereisno

economicinterventionandregulationbythestate,excepttoenforceprivatecontractsand

theownershipofproperty.Insuchasystem,

thegovernmenthasverylimitedroleinthe

administrationandthelegislationofeconomic

activities.

Whilecurrentlythereisnocountryintheworld

practisingapurefreemarketeconomy,thereis

arguablyastrongcasetobemadebetweenone

countrysprosperityandhowfreeitseconomyis.

TunkuAbdulRahmanunderstoodthiswell.Under

hisadministration,Malaysiapursuedapolicy

whicheconomistKSJomodescribedasa laissez-

fairedevelopmentstrategywithminimumstate

interferenceexceptensuringsuitableconditions

forrapidcapitalaccumulation...Thelaissez faire

developmentstrategyofthe1960sprecludeddirect

governmentparticipationinprotableactivities,

suchascommerceandindustry,whichwereleft

exclusivelytoprivatebusinessinterests.1

TunkuAbdulRahmanbelievedthatgovernment

shouldneverdabbleinbusiness,orworse,nationalise

industries.ToTunku,thegovernmentdoesnot

havethenecessaryskillstoengageinbusiness.Any

attempttodosowouldbedetrimental:

Thereisasectionofthepeoplewhoadvocate

nationalisingcertainbusinessesandindustries.Butas

longastheAllianceremainsinpowersuchconcepts

willnotbeputintopracticebecausewedonot

believesuchmeasureswillbenetoureconomy.

Ifthegovernmentthinksitcouldrunallthetrades

andindustriesinMalayaitwouldhavedonesoright

fromthebeginning.Itdoesnothavethebusiness

experienceorknow-howtowanttoundertake

businessdirectlyitself...

TheAllianceGovernmentwillnotchangeitspolicyofencouragingfreeenterprisebecauseweknow

whatisgoodandwhatisnotgoodforthecountry.2


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Hence,whencommentingonthenewsof

BumiputeraMalaysiaFinance(BMF),aunitofBank

BumiputraMalaysiaBhdlosingUS$1billion,Tunku

AbdulRahmancouldonlyexpresshisdisappointment:

IhavealwaysmaintainedthattheGovernmentmust

notindulgeinbusiness.Thismustbelefttothe

businesscommunity.Therearemanylossesincurred

bytheGovernmentoflateandthisshouldbea

goodlessontoourleadersnottomixpoliticswith

business.1

InthecontextoftheColdWar,thedirectopposite

ofafreemarketeconomywouldbeacentralised

economy,wheregovernmentwouldhaveabsolute

controlovereveryeconomicaspect.Thecountries

whichpracticesucheconomicideologywerethe

countriesoftheCommunistBloc.Asastaunchanti-

communist,TunkuAbdulRahmancouldneverallow

Malaysiatofalltosuchatragedy.Instead,TunkuAbdul

Rahmanpursuedfreedom.Thiscanalsobeseenin

hisspeechatthedinnerhonouringthevisitingVice-

PresidentoftheUnitedStates,SpiroAgnew:

MrVicePresident,Iamalsogladtorecallthatthere

existmanysimilaritiesbetweenourtwocountries.

Bothcountriessubscribetothesamedemocratic

ideals,bothbelieveinthesystemoffreeenterprise

andbothupholdthehighidealsofhumanrightsand

freedom.2

AlthoughheknewthatMalayswerelagging

economicallypost-independence,TunkuAbdul

Rahmanafrmedhiscommitmenttoalaissez-

faireeconomydespitedemandsforgovernment

intervention.WhenthethenMinisterofAgriculture,

AbdulAzizIshaktransferredChinese-ownedrice

millstoMalay-dominatedruralcooperatives,Tunku

dismissedAzizforunconstitutionalpractices. 3

Instead,TunkuAbdulRahmanbelievedinfairnessand

competition:

InMalayawewelcomefaircompetition,evenifit

competeswithourownindustry.4

Whileembracingfreeeconomyandcompetition,

Tunkustillmanagedtopursuepoliciesthat

acknowledgedtheperceivedrelativeeconomic

weaknessofMalays.Thisiswherehisapproach

isunique.Tunkustronglybelievedinhelpingthe

Malays,buthedidnotwanttodoitattheexpenseofeconomicstability.Hemaintainedthisviewinhislast

speechasUMNOpresident:

Ofcourse,wehaveagreatdealmoretodoto

helptheMalaysimprovetheirlotbecauseoftheir

backwardness.Therateofprogressisadmittedly

slowbecausewehavesetourtargetprettyhighbut

thehelpwhichisforthcomingisassured.Wecannot

takeveryimmediateordrasticactionforthiswould

obstructtheprogressofthecountry,andwould

causeaserioussetback.Ifthenationaldevelopment

1 UMNO Must Remain United to be Strong, The Star, 22 September1986

2 Speech at dinner honouring the Vice President of the United States,Spiro Agnew, January 8, 1970.

3 See Tunku Abdul Rahman (1957-1970): Transition to Modernizationin Anthony S.K. Shome,Malay Political Leadership. (London: Routledge,

2009), 75

4 Speech at the opening of the Japan Trade Fair in KL, February 13,1960


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isobstructed,orinanywayinterferedwith,then

oureconomywouldbejeopardizedascanbeseen

elsewhereinthecountriesofSoutheastAsia.Any

drasticactiontohelpourpeoplewouldhavean

adverseeffectwiththestateofoureconomyina

topsy-turvy,andthereforeitwouldnotbepossible

togiveanyrespectofthereligionofIslamorour

people.1

ItwasthereforenosurprisethatTunkuAbdul

RahmanwascriticaloftheNewEconomicPolicy.

TunkuAbdulRahmandidnotbelieveindistortingthe

markettoachievearbitrarilyconceivedgoals.Instead,

hisgovernmentpromotedincentivessuchastax

exemptionsandinfrastructuretoorganicallygrow

theeconomy.

TunkuAbdulRahmansoppositiontogovernment

interventionintheeconomy,suchasthoseextolled

bytheNewEconomicPolicy,largelystemsfrom

theentailingdetrimentaloutcomes,especially

theunintendedconsequences.Inmakingnational

decisions,thereareneveranyeasyoptions.

Nonetheless,TunkuAbdulRahmanalwaysweighted

theconsequencesofanyaction.Thislineofthought

isdemonstratedwhenhearguedinthecaseofthe

governmentraisingtaxesoncigarettesandalcohol

duringarecession:

So,asaresultoftheimpositionofduties,everybody

hastobeartheconsequences.Imaysaythe

increaseindutiesoncigarettesandotheressentials

hastostopsometime.Thetraderecessioncaused

bythehighcostofproductionmaycauseeconomic

problemsandthiswillbemoreharmfuland

destructivetohumansocietythanalltheharmful

effectsofcigarettesanddrinksputtogether.2

InhislaterwritingsreectingtheNewEconomic

Policy,TunkuAbdulRahmanmaintainedhiscritical

views.TunkuAbdulRahmanevenpointedngersat

thecorruptioncreatedbytheNewEconomicPolicy:

Razakstartedallthisonlythosewhosupport

UMNOgetanything.3

TunkuAbdulRahmanalsolamentedaboutthe

inequalitiesandimmediatebacklashoftheNew

EconomicPolicy:

Anattemptwasmadetollthe(30%)target

withoutthoughtfortheabilityandthecapability

ofattainingit.WhenIadvisedagainstitthey

condemnedmeasatraitorandtheywerehelped

unfortunatelybysomeseniormembersoftheparty.

TheygainedthedayandIlefttheGovernment

soonafter.Somebecamerichovernightwhile

othersbecamedespicableAliBabasandthe

countrysufferedeconomicset-backsandarelapse

welivetoregrettothisday.

Ouradministrationwasgoingsmoothly,our

economywasviable,ourringgitwasgood.

1 Speech at UMNO general assembly, January 23 1971.

2 Saints and Cigarettes, The Star, 8 November 1982.

3 Kua Kia Soong,K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD, 2002),137. Razak here refers to the Prime Minister who succeeded TunkuAbdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak.


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www.ideas.org.my 15

Thentherewasasuddenattemptbythe

Governmentafter1970toforceeconomicreforms

towhichIreferredearlier.Thisjoltedeverycautious

men,everybusinessmananditgaverisetofeelings

ofuncertainty,thenpanic.Capitalbegantoleavethe

country;inationreareditsuglyheadandbecame

theorderoftheday.Ahousewhichcost$15,000

wassuddenlyinatedskyhigh.Sincethenwehave

beenlivinginfearofwhatstocome.1

ItisclearthattheTunkuwascommittedtofree

markets.Insteadoftakingtheeasyrouteof

supportingpopulistwelfaremeasuresforMalays,he

prioritisedeconomicgrowthandstabilitythathe

believedwouldbeguaranteedbyanopenandfree

economy.Hecontinuedtoarguethiseventhoughit

mayhavecosthimsignicantpoliticalsupport.His

ideologicalunderpinningsarefurtherexhibitedbyhis

passionateloathingofthecommandeconomythat

acommunistsystemasystemhespenthisentire

premiershipghtingwouldhavebrought.

1 Time to Put Our house in Order, The Star, 26 May 1986

The trade recession

caused by the high cost

of production may cause

economic problems and

this will be more harmful and

destructive to human society

than all the harmful effects

of cigarettes and drinks put

together.


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www.ideas.org.my 16

Individual liberty

Societyisacollectionofindividualspursuingdifferent

purposesoflife.Asthemostbasicunitofsociety,

individualsassociatethemselveswitheachotherand

formgroupsoranymanifestationofsuchorganised

collectives.Conversely,theyarealsofreeto

dissociatethemselvesfromthesegroups.Individuals

shouldnotbeforcedtoremainwithinagroup,or

worse,forcedtoabidebythewillofthegroup.

Individualscanmakechoicesandbeheldresponsible

fortheiractions.Whilemakingchoices,each

individualmustrespectthedignityofanother

individualregardlessofethnicity,religionorgender.

Thismeansrespectingthedifferencesbetween

peopleandnottryingtoimposeuniformity.Toquote

FriedrichHayek,the1974EconomicsNobelPrize

winner:Asocietythatdoesnotrecognisethateach

individualhasvaluesofhisownwhichheisentitledtofollowcanhavenorespectforthedignityofthe

individualandcannotreallyknowfreedom.

Mostimportantly,theconceptofindividualliberty

demandsthatthegovernmentmustnotencroach

intowhatisprivatetotheindividuals.Aslongas

theactionsofanindividualdonotharmothers,

governmentmustnotinterfere.Individualshavetheir

rightstobesecureintheirlife,libertyandproperty.

Theserightsarenotgrantedbygovernmentorby

society;theyareinherentinthenatureofhuman

beings.DavidBoazoftheCatoInstitutefurther

arguesthatitisintuitivelyrightthatindividualsenjoy

thesecurityofsuchrights;theburdenofexplanation

shouldliewiththosewhowouldtakerightsaway. 1

Imposinguniformitywouldbetantamountto

suppressingindividualrightsandfreedom.During

theColdWarsuchimpositionswereassociatedwith

communism.Beingthestaunchanti-communist,Tunku

AbdulRahmaninsteadsubscribedtotheconceptof

individuallibertythatpeoplehavethepowerto

decideeverything,includingtheformofgovernment

theylike.Consequently,thepeopleofMalaysiaunder

Tunkusleadershipafrmedtheircommitmentto

freedombynotchoosingacommunistgovernment:

Forinstance,inMalaysiaitisunthinkablethat

thepeopleherewouldpreferaregimentedlife;

naturallytheywouldneveracceptanypolicythat

wouldrestricttheirrighttochoosetheformof

Governmenttheylikeorfollowawayoflifeto

whichtheyarenotaccustomed.2

OneofthemostillustrativeanecdotesofTunku

AbdulRahmansphilosophyoffreedomisbrilliantly

demonstratedwhenhevisitedWestGermanyin

1960.TunkuAbdulRahmanwaspresentedwitha

replicaoftheFreedomBellbyWillyBrandt,the

mayorofWestBerlin.Thebellwasareplicaofthe

bellwhichrangdailyinBerlintoremindthemthe

valueoftheirfreedom.Inhisappreciationspeechon

1 David Boaz, Key Concepts of Libertarianism. Available online athttp://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5758 (Accessed on Janu-ary 2, 2011)

2 The Kishi Scare: I Prayed Hard for The Safety of Our ImportantGuest, The Star, 5 May 1975


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www.ideas.org.my 17

receivingthebell,TunkuAbdulRahmanthankedthe

mayorforthePeaceBell.Whendignitariestriedto

correcthim,TunkuAbdulRahmancalmlysaid:

Youcanthavepeacewithoutfreedom,andyou

canthavefreedomwithoutpeace.1

AsourBapa Merdeka,TunkuAbdulRahmanbelieved

thatourindependencecouldnothavebeenpossible

withouttheRulersplayingtheirroles.Assuch,post-

independence,TunkuAbdulRahmanlookedatthe

Rulersasanimportantinstitutiontosafeguardour

individualliberty:

Wehaveworkedtogether,andwiththeRulers,have

foughtforandwonindependenceforMalaya.Now

weareabletowalkwithourheadsup,andacclaim

ourselvesafreeandindependentpeople.2

Forus,Malaysians,thethronehasbeenlookedupon

asaguaranteeofourfreedom.Freedomtoworship,

freedomtosocialize,andfreedomtopracticeour

politicalrights.3

Afterindependence,TunkuAbdulRahmanexpanded

ourindividuallibertythroughguaranteeingthemin

ourConstitution.Nonetheless,justaseachindividual

hasthefreedomtochoosehowtheylivetheirlives,

individualsalsohavepersonalresponsibilitytoact

onlywithinthelaw:

Ourconstitutionalsoprovidedforreligiousand

socialfreedomforall,andthisfreedomwehaveall

enjoyedforalltheseyears.4

Tofreethepeopleoftheworld,welooktowards

naturaljusticetoprovideuswithprotectionandto

giveusfreedomtodocertainthingswithinthelaw,

notoutsideofthelawbecausetherearesomany

penalcodes,lawsthattellyouwhereyougowrong,

whatisrightandwhatiswrong.Ifyougoandpinch

somebodysmoney,youknowyouaredoingwrong.

Ifyougoandcracksomebodyshead,youknowthatyouaredoingwrongbutallthatiswithincommon

knowledgeofallmenandsoitiswithinthatruleof

lawthatyoucandoanythingyoulike.Butofcourse

incountrieswhichwecalldemocraticcountrieslike

ours,peoplearesupposedtobefreetofollowtheir

wayoflife,tofollowtheirreligion,customs,habits

andtraditions.5

Yearsafterhispremiership,TunkuAbdulRahmanlamentedwhatheperceivedasthedeteriorationof

individualliberty.Inparticular,TunkuAbdulRahman

feltthatpoliticsandthenarrowviewofreligionwere

themainculpritsbehindthis:

Intheolddayspeopleneverbotheredaboutwhat

othersdid,solongastheywerefreetodowhat

theylikedthemselves.Todayonecannotsneeze

withoutbeingcorrected,letaloneenjoyoneself.

Thatswhatpoliticshavedonetooursociety.6

1 Merdeka Memoirs: No Peace Without Freedom, No Freedom WithoutPeace,New Straits Times, 11 August 2007

2 The Role of the King, The Star, 13 February 1984

3 Silver Jubilee of the Kedah Sultan, The Star, 18 July 1983

4 Peace for All Time, The Star, 9 April 1984

5 Kua Kia Soong,K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD, 2002),135

6 Kedahs Wise Regent: Bringing Up State Under Colonial Rule, TheStar, 1 December 1975


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www.ideas.org.my 18

Theworldhaschangedverymuchsinceadultery

waspunishablewithdeathbystoning.Inthis

promiscuousandpermissivesocietypeoplearefree

togoanddoastheylike.1

Thelastsentenceofthequoteaboveisagood

exampleofTunkuAbdulRahmanbeingafun-loving

gentleman.Infact,heevenoncesaid:

Whatisthepointoflivingwhenyoudontdrink,

youdontsmoke,andyoudontevenenjoythe

companyofthefairsex?2

Yetdespitehisjovialnature,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas

alsoahumbleMuslimwithstrongcommitmentto

Islam.Duringhispremiership,hefoundedtheMuslim

WelfareOrganisationMalaysia(Pertubuhan Kebajikan

Islam Malaysia, PERKIM),anorganisationdedicated

towardshelpingnewMuslimsadjusttotheirnew

life.Aftersteppingdown,TunkuAbdulRahman

wastaskedtoleadtheOrganisationofIslamic

Conference(OIC)astheirrstSecretary-General.

HewasclearlyarespectedgureamongMuslims

internationally.

WhenaskedtohelmtheOIC,TunkuAbdulRahman

wasinitiallysurprisedbytheofferashedidnot

considerhimselfapiousMuslim.TunkuAbdul

Rahmanshumilityallowedhimtoacknowledgetohis

shortcomings,andthiswasthequalitywhichmade

himspecial.Unlikemanytoday,TunkuAbdulRahman

neverabusedhisIslamiccredentialstoportrayan

imageofinfallibility.

Indeed,TunkuAbdulRahmanwasneveroneto

claimthehighhorseofreligion.Whiledebatingthen

oppositionleaderTanCheeKhooninaParliament

session,TunkuAbdulRahmanparaphrasedthefamous

quote:

Letanyoneamongstuswhoiswithoutsin,standup

andcasttherststone.3

Whentheoppositionleaderwastheonlyonewho

stoodandremainedstanding,TunkuAbdulRahman,

beingthefunpersonthathewas,calmlyretorted:

DavidTanCheeKhoon,Ireallypityyou.4

Theincreasinglynarrowviewofreligionwasamatter

ofparticularconcerntoTunkuAbdulRahman.Worse

wastheattitudeofsanctimoniouspeople,particularly

politicians,whenitcametoreligion.Tothis,Tunku

AbdulRahmanhadthistosay:

Offencesaretakingplaceeveryday,withpeople

inhighplacesandlowsocietybeingequallyself-

indulgent.Willthoseinhighsocietybechargedwith

theseoffences,orwillcaningbeconnedonlyto

thoseinlowsociety?

Itisnousepretendingthatwedontknowwhatis

takingplaceinhighsociety.Manyvisitnightclubs,

messesandotherplacesofamusement.Wesee

1 Khalwat, Viewpoints, 183

2 Kedahs Wise Regent: Bringing Up State Under Colonial Rule, TheStar, 1 December 1975

3 Memorable MPs, The Sunday Star, 8 April 2007

4 ibid.


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www.ideas.org.my 19

themdrivingincarswiththoseoftheoppositesex

tolonelyspotsforquietmomentsawayfromthe

pryingeyesofthepublic.1

Wehavekilljoysamongourbuddingpoliticians

whoarestillinexperiencedandthosefrompolitical

partieswhoaretryingtomakeacomeback.They

talkgliblyofcreatingaheavenlykingdom,anation

inhabitedbysaintsonly.Whenthathappens,ifever,

Icantellthemthattherewontbeaplaceforthem

either.2

Hence,whenhearingthatthestudentsandstaff

oftheNationalUniversityofMalaysia(Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM) wereprotestingagainst

theentertainerSudirmanandhistroupeperforming

intheuniversitysfundraisingshowonthegrounds

thattheshowisun-Islamicandwouldgivethe

universityabadimage,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas

furious:

Toputtherecordstraight,wedidnotget

independenceforthistypeofpeoplewhocannot

ndanythingrightinanythingweorothersdofor

theypreferprimitiveexistencetocivilizedlife.They

arewastingtheirtimeattheuniversity.ThisisallI

cansayaboutthem.3

TunkuAbdulRahmanwassteadfasttohis

commitmenttofreedomtilltheend.Freedomisabalancebetweenindividuallibertyandpersonal

responsibilityinaccordancewiththeruleoflaw,all

undertheoverarchingumbrellaoftheConstitution.

TunkuAbdulRahmansumsthisupnicelywhenhe

said:

Whateverfaultstheremaybeinoursystemof

government,therearefaultsinallsystemssuch

isthenatureofmen.Here,however,wearefree

topursueourwayoflifeandreligionwithout

hindrance,andaslongaswecankeepwithinthe

boundariesofproprietyandthelaw,weareableto

eatandsleepandinsecurity.Andallthisunderthe

conceptofConstitutionalMonarchy,ofwhichwe

shouldberightlyproud,asitisuniqueintheworld.4

1 Of Law and Faith, The Star, 8 May 1978

2 Saints and cigarettes, The Star, 8 November 1982

3 There Is Not Room For Fanaticism, The Star, 14 January 1985

4 Malaysias Monarch: Democratic Symbol and Basis For StableGovernment, The Star, 6 July 1975

The increasingly narrow viewof religion was a matter of

particular concern to Tunku

Abdul Rahman. Worse was

the attitude of sanctimonious

people, particularly politicians,

when it came to religion.


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www.ideas.org.my 20

Conclusion

Afterexaminingtheavailableliterature,Indit

undeniablethatTunkuAbdulRahmandidindeed

subscribetotheprinciplesofclassicalliberalism.

TunkuAbdulRahmanafrmedhisbeliefstothe

principlesoftheruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,

freemarketandindividuallibertycountlesstimes

throughouthiswritings,hisspeeches,hisinterviews

andperhapsmostimportantly,hisactions.

InTunkuAbdulRahmanwehadaman,aleader,

astatesmanwhoremainedsteadfastinhis

commitmenttotheseprinciples,evenwhentheywereusedagainsthim.


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www.ideas.org.my 21

Bibliography

AllreferencestospeechesmadebyTunkuAbdul

RahmancanbefoundintheTunkuAbdulRahman

Memorialscollection.

The Malay Mail(Malaysia)1955-2010.

New Straits Times (Malaysia)1955-2010.

The Star(Malaysia)1955-2010.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.As A Matter of Interest. Kuala

Lumpur:Heinemann,1981.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Challenging Times.KualaLumpur:

PelandukPublications,1986.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Contemporary Issues in Malaysian

Politics.KualaLumpur:PelandukPublications,

1984.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Lest We Forget.Malaysia:Eastern

UniversitiesPress,1983.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Looking Back.KualaLumpur:

PustakaAntara,1977.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.May 13: Before and After.Kuala

Lumpur:UtusanMelayuPress,1969.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Political Awakening.KualaLumpur:

PelandukPublications,1986.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Something to Remember.Singapore:EasternUniversitiesPress,1983.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Viewpoints.KualaLumpur:

Heinemann,1978.

AbdulRahman,Tunku.Malaysia: Road to Independence.

KualaLumpur:PelandukPublications,1984.

Boaz,David.KeyConceptsofLibertarianism.Available

onlinefromhttp://www.cato.org/pub_display.

php?pub_id=5758(AccessedonJanuary2,2011)

Foong,James.LateBloomerWithGreatTiming,11June2008.Availableonlinefromhttp://aliran.

com/764.html(AccessedonJanuary3,2011)

Jomo,K.S..EconomicPlanningInGrowth and structural

changes in the Malaysian Economy.Hampshire:

Macmillan,1990.

Kua,KiaSoong.K. Das & The Tunku Tapes.Malaysia:SIRD,

2002.

Morais,Victor.Selected Speeches. PetalingJaya:

PerchetakanTenggaraatMalayanPrinters,1967.

Shome,AnthonyS.K..TunkuAbdulRahman(1957-

1970):TransitiontoModernizationInMalay

political Leadership.London:Routledge,2009.

Tunku: In His Words.Malaysia:NSTPResourceCentre,

2009.


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www.ideas.org.my 22

The Institute for Democracy and

Economic Affairs (IDEAS) is inspired

by the vision of Tunku Abdul Rahman

Putra al-Haj, the irst Prime Minister of

Malaysia. We share his vision as stated in

the 1957 Proclamation of Independence

that this nation should:

be for ever a sovereign democratic and

independent State founded upon the

principles of liberty and justice and ever

seeking the welfare and happiness of

its people and the maintenance of a just

peace among all nations

IDEAS is Malaysias irst think-tank

dedicated to promoting market-based

solutions to public policy challenges. We

were oficially launched on 8 February

2010, in conjunction with Almarhum

Tunku Abdul Rahmans 107th birthday,

by YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah at

Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra,

Kuala Lumpur, in an event graced by

three generations of Almarhum Tunkus

family members.

IDEAS is an independent not-for-proit

organisation. As a cross-partisan thinktank, we work across the political

spectrum. Our purpose is to advance

market-based principles, and we are not

bound by party politics, race or religion.

Our mission is to improve the level of

understanding and acceptance of public

policies based on the principles of rule

of law, limited government, free marketsand free individuals.

We achieve this mission through:

Research

Publication of reports and books

Seminars, discussions and short

courses

Brieings for federal and state

politicians and policy-makers

from across the political divide

Media engagements

IDEAS commitment to quality has

received international recognition. On

18 January 2011, IDEAS was ranked as

the 18th best new think tank globally

and second best new think tank in Asia

in a survey of 6,480 think tanks in 169

countries by University of Pennsylvaniaand United Nations University.

More information can be found on

www.IDEAS.org.my

Tunku Great IDEAS Final Print Version Feb 2011

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