Myriad faces at the stadium
Prominent foreign guests added to the large number of local dignitaries who attended our Merdeka celebrations in 1957.

August 29, 2007
My political mentor and guide
When he gave talks on his Merdeka Mission, Tunku spoke from his heart, with sincerity, candour, honesty and a sense of humour.

Spirit of the pioneer
As full as a life can be led, Tan Sri Dr Devaki Krishnan’s is an exemplary one. Her innumerable achievements continue to drive her as a voice of the people.

August 28, 2007
When Tunku was speechless
The Tunku very rarely lost his temper. One such occasion was when Saudi Arabia did not send a representative to the meeting of finance ministers to set up the International Islamic Bank.

Working as one for Merdeka
The role played by non-Malay political leaders in ensuring racial harmony was crucial to Tunku Abdul Rahman’s negotiations for an independent Malaya.

August 27, 2007
Eminent class of patriots
What they aspired for and agreed upon must never be forgotten – of a united multiethnic nation built upon the strength offered by the rich cultural diversity. Those were the hopes 50 years ago that are now entrusted to a new generation of leaders.

Tunku ensured Malay predominance
He was portrayed as being anti-Malay in the aftermath of May 13 and his name sullied. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

August 26, 2007
Up front and personal leadership
Tunku’s success in handling Sarawak depended on human relations.

The nation came first for Tunku
In this last part of the series on Merdeka families, close relatives of Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman share their memories of their patriarch whom they loved but never really had to themselves because he was always busy with matters of the state.

August 25, 2007
Highly regarded by foreign leaders
Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nurtured a great deal of affection and respect for Tunku, as did Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi. Even Queen Elizabeth held Tunku in high regard and had wished to seat him at her right hand at a banquet.

August 24, 2007
From a physician’s perspective
It was during Tunku’s retirement years in Penang that he renewed his friendship with a Dr V. Thuraisingam, a man whom he would later consider his de facto personal physician and close friend.

August 23, 2007
Tunku – my boss and mentor
In order to ‘charge the batteries.’ as the Tunku explained, his working style was not to work after lunch. He said he expected to live up to 90 years like his father.

August 22, 2007
Tunku’s part in the birth of Asean
Tunku mooted the idea of forming the Association of Southeast Asia, the forerunner of Asean, and worked hard to make it a reality.

August 21, 2007
The Tunku – as I knew him
In many ways, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was responsible for initiating the gradual transformation of the navy from a coastal (brown water force) to an ocean-going navy (blue water navy).

August 20, 2007
Integrity personified
Fundamental rights meant so much to Tunku that he helped set up the first human rights NGO.

Mothers of substance
At pivotal moments throughout our nation’s struggle for independence, women rose to the challenge and played their part. Yet their contribution has often been downplayed to a supporting role.

They dared to take up public office
MANY more women contributed as mothers of independence than the list below. They know who they are and their families can testify to their sacrifices. This selection is based on the wide variety of backgrounds and political channels that women took when they first broke into public life.

August 19, 2007
Lessons on life from Tunku
Tunku taught us that if only we are united, we can shape our own destiny and take on the world.

August 18, 2007
Enjoying simpler sides of life
Tunku and others knew they were always welcome to relax at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence which adjoined the golf course. It was easier and more congenial to meet him early at the course and play nine holes of golf before office hours.

August 17, 2007
Equal partnership for all
In Tunku's time, the author's social activism and non-establishment views were not held against her.

August 15, 2007
Man of the hour
Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari was involved in the Malaysian political scene from its inception and served in the Cabinet of three prime ministers, standing shoulder to shoulder even with Tunku.

August 14, 2007
A nostalgic tale of two Putras
In the early 1960s when Tuanku Syed Putra was King and Tunku the Prime Minister, the two Putras fostered a close relationship that they would keep for many years to come.

August 13, 2007

Young patriots It's never too young to learn about the national flag as these children from Tadika Perpaduan Taman Angkasa in Kuala Lumpur are showing as they put the finishing touches to a Jalur Gemilangduring the kindergarten's Hari Perpaduan yesterday in conjunction with Malaysia’s 50th year of Independence. — AZMAN GHANI / The Star

A kingmaker extraordinaire
Born on 19th July 1922, Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman ascended the throne as the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan in 1967. He served as the country’s 10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1994 to 1999, bringing to full circle the system of a rotational monarchy where his father was the first King of Malaya.

August 11, 2007
Tributes to a prince among men
Fifty contributors wrote from the heart of their years with the man who inspired this nation to Merdeka and in the face of opposition, had the courage to forge Malaysia. From tomorrow, The Star is honoured to run daily, selected excerpts from their tributes in Prince Among Men – Recollections and Reflections on Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.

August 6, 2007
The ‘unknown’ Aziz Ishak
Journalist-turned-politician Abdul Aziz Ishak was an avowed socialist who played a role in the struggle for independence but remains largely unappreciated.

August 1, 2007
Father of the Nation was a reluctant politician, says son
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra considered himself the Father of the Nation and not the prime minister, revealed his eldest son Tunku Ahmad Nerang.

July 9, 2007
Cheng Lock's vision and mission
Tun Tan Cheng Lock played a pivotal role in getting the British to agree to hold Malaya’s first federal elections in 1955, the prelude to the granting of independence in 1957.

July 2, 2007
Razak drove a hard bargain
Most Malaysians fondly remember Tun Abdul Razak Hussein as a tireless patriot. Yet not many can recall his role in the struggle for independence.

Pegged for leadership
Datin Peggy Taylor says the Alliance Direct Membership Organisation (ADMO) was like the Tower of Babel but it was hers, and her members’ knowledge of colloquial Malay, that saved the organisation and the day. But who remembers ADMO or the Alliance Party now? And who remembers Taylor?

June 25, 2007
Prince who was ‘the happiest PM’
Tunku was tireless in his efforts to integrate the various races and work out compromises in order to maintain harmony.

Spirit of the pioneer
As the first Indian woman to stand for local election – and win – Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan has made her mark in Malaysian politics and community welfare.

June 24, 2007
The rebel in Onn Jaafar
Datuk Onn Jaafar remains an interesting subject for the study of the politics and leadership of this country during its formative years.

The reluctant politician
After initially baulking at a career in politics, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman finally joined Umno in 1951 and found himself swept up the ranks of government.

May 27, 2007
Warrior who loved peace
Sarawak's colourful Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng, the last Paramount chief of all Ibans, was one of the prime movers in the formation of Malaysia.

Son and grandson live up to legacy
Among Jugah's torchbearers, his eldest son and grandson are the most prominent.

March 25, 2007
Key roles by father and son
Two generations of the Tan family in Malacca, MCA founding figure Tun Tan Cheng Lock and his son Tun Tan Siew Sin, played key roles in gaining independence for this country.

February 25, 2007
Mah’s memorable moments
Retired crimebuster Datuk Albert Mah was working on his memoirs with the scribe of this article K.W. MAK when he was sadly killed following a robbery at his home in January. The following is what the writer gleaned from the compassionate man who had a wealth of knowlege of our history and the communist insurgency.

Burning spirit in Fatimah
Tun Fatimah Hashim, Malaysia's first woman minister, joined the struggle for independence while in her 20s when she saw the lack of facilities and infrastructure under colonial rule.

January 28, 2007
Ibu Zain’s blazing trail
Tan Sri Zainun Sulaiman, a pioneer for Malay women in education and politics, spoke up bravely for the independence cause.

January 21, 2007
Reluctant but visionary
Among the country’s founding fathers was a man of integrity and ideas who stayed a step behind the front line.