Noting Tunku’s early steps

Notable: Tunku Abdul Rahman lived at No.17 in this terraced row while studying in London. — Photo provided

FROM my private collection of articles and pictures, I gather that Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, had once lived at No.17, Kildare Gardens, London W2. It is in an area in busy Queensway, popular with Malaysians. The house was built in 1867 and Tunku lived there between 1946 and 1947, presumably when he was reading law.

Like many other British homes in which famous and illustrious people once lived, this particular house should have received the Blue Plaque. The Blue Plaque is a ceramic sign set on buildings in Britain where distinguished people – not limited only to British people – had once lived. It bears relevant dates and details.