A walk in Tunku’s footsteps

Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra offers a glimpse into the life of the country’s first prime minister. At the entrance, a gleaming 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood V8 greets visitors, next to a Nash Rambler also recognised as part of Malaysia’s history. — Photos: Bernama

A leaking roof once strengthened Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al‑Haj’s resolve to seek independence for Malaya.

After the Alliance Party’s landslide victory in the 1955 federal election, Tunku became the first chief minister of the Federation of Malaya, taking office on Aug 9, 1955, as both chief minister and home affairs minister.

But the role came without the trappings of comfort.

He later recalled that he had no official car, no official residence – only a modest house with a roof that leaked.

One night, heavy rain poured through the ceiling.

“I had to shove my bed from one end of the room to another,” he had said.

“It was then that I vowed that I would drive the British out...”

It is this small, intimate moment – personal yet political – that sets the tone for Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (MTARP) in Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur.

It is one of many stories preserved within its walls, each offering a glimpse into the man behind the title “Bapa Kemerdekaan”.

Participants of the Salam Unity Explorace 2026, organised by Yayasan Salam Malaysia in collaboration with MTARP, encountered this anecdote while solving clues during a treasure-hunt-style event, to mark Tunku’s 123rd birthday.

But you don’t need to join an explorace to uncover such stories, as reported by Bernama.

A visit to MTARP reveals a Tunku far richer and more textured than the familiar images of him at Merdeka Stadium with the iconic cry of “Merdeka!”.

At the entrance, a gleaming 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood V8 greets visitors.

Imported from the US in 1965, it served as the Tunku’s official car.

Its dramatic tailfins and sweeping lines have prompted some to liken it to a “Batmobile” – a playful, unexpected reminder of a bygone era.

Inside the Residensi, where he lived as the first prime minister of Malaya, and later Malaysia, preserved rooms reflect the modesty and simplicity of his private life.

The “Cairo Room”, furnished with chairs purchased in Egypt’s capital, is one such space – understated, personal and quietly elegant.

Elsewhere, a newspaper clipping recounts how the Tunku once turned chef for a day in 1982, grilling beef for 200 guests at a dinner in Alor Setar, Kedah – a charming reminder of his warmth and approachability.

Another display captures his wit with the quote: “Be good to those you meet on the way up because when you come down, you will meet them again, unless of course you decide to jump down and break your neck!”

Personal artefacts, from his identity card details to information about his pet, offer small but fascinating fragments that humanise the Father of Independence.

According to the National Archives of Malaysia, MTARP houses more than 80,000 artefacts related to Tunku.

Spread across a two‑hectare site, the memorial is not merely a repository of documents; it is a space for reflection.

Here, visitors encounter the Tunku’s thoughts on goodwill: “Respecting people’s rights is essential to achieving goodwill. And goodwill cannot be forced by law.”

History at MTARP is not confined to speeches and dates.

It lives in preserved rooms, archived clippings, personal recollections – and in the story of a leaking roof that steeled a young leader’s resolve.

For anyone seeking to understand not just how independence was achieved, but who Tunku was as a man, MTARP offers insight that no textbook can match.

MTARP is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9am to 5pm; Fridays 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 5pm. Admission is free.