Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj

Selected Quotes

"I am indeed proud on this, the greatest day in Malaya's history it falls to my lot to proclaim the formal independence of this country. Today as new page is turned, and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as free and independent partner in the great community of Nations - anew nation is born and though we fully realise that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today's event, down the avenue of history, will be our inspiration and our guide."
-Independence Day, 1957

"We must each always think first of Malaya, of the national need and least of ourselves. Everyone must try to help and see that the people are one-minded, with one loyalty and one aim, to make Malaya - the land we love - a happy abode for all of us. If we all do this then we can guarantee liberty, security, prosperity and happiness for the future."
- 1959

"To sum it all up there is a place in the sun for everyone in Malaysia. Whatever harsh judgments other parties may make about us, we are proud to say that we have made progress. We have delivered the goods to our people."
- National Press Club Dinner, 1964

"Kita ini telah diamanahkan oleh rakyat negeri ini menuntut Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu dan menyediakan Tanah Melayu bagi menjadi satu negeri yang aman dan makmur dan menyatukan rakyat-rakyat Tanah Melayu mcnjadikan satu orang yang taat setia kepada Tanah Melayu."
- Independence Delegation , 1957

"If all our peoples co-operate together with loyalty and integrity, then there is nothing we cannot achieve for the good of all."
- Speech over Radio Malaya , 1959

"Negeri kita ini unik. Tidak ada 'isme' yang boleh diimport dari luar negeri. Kita kenalah tadbirkan negeri ini secara sendiri. Jika kita cuba hendak tiru mana-mana 'isme' dari negeri luar, maka sudah tentu tidak dapat diterima rakyat negeri ini."

"My advice to our young people is never to give up hope. For this reason I am writing about my experiences, I started off badly but ended up with success as Prime Minister."

"We must each always think first of Malaya, of the national need and least of ourselves. Everyone must try to help and see that the people are one-minded, with one loyalty and one aim, to make Malaya - the land we love - a happy abode for all of us. If we all do this then we can guarantee liberty, security, prosperity and happiness for the future."

"Independence could not be achieved with ease. The Malays must work hard, energetically and wholeheartedly for it."

"There is a lot of planning to be done and many lessons to be learnt. Looking at our country as an independent nation, we should take plenty of time to deal with the economic situation and problem. It has to be done properly and carefully."

"All people must feel that there is room for them in our country and that we can all live in peace with one another, provided of course that we respect one another's rights, and provided, too, that we realise we owe duties to one another for the good and well-being, the progress and happiness of our country, Malaysia."