THE Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation (YTAR) marks a momentous milestone with the celebration of its 60th anniversary on Aug 13 at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.
The foundation’s founding began with a proposal to establish an education fund in honour of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj, and received national-scale crowdfunding started by Utusan Melayu on Tunku’s birthday, raising more than M$60,170.20, which would have been RM380,000 in today’s economy.
The Education Minister at the time, Tan Sri Mohamed Khir Johari, then proposed to the Federal Government for the establishment of Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman through the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation Fund Act 1966 (Act 43), transforming a community-led effort into a national institution dedicated to expanding access to higher education.
The foundation responded directly to the national priorities of nation-building through loans and scholarships, enabling Malaysian youth to pursue higher education abroad, many of whom would return to contribute to the country’s development.
To date, YTAR has supported over 12,000 Malaysian youths regardless of race, colour or creed through various initiatives, including access to higher education, scholarships, financial assistance and employability programmes.
To date, the foundation has disbursed a total of RM96.6mil towards these initiatives, as announced by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang at the ceremony.
"YTAR's role in serving as a scholarship provider has expanded to become a body that identifies talent, paves the path for access opportunities, and develops the existing potential of the Malaysian youth," said Aaron Ago.
He also called for more companies to make education and talent development an important part of their respective organisations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda by working with foundations like YTAR.
YTAR chief executive officer Kularetnam Vijayakumar shared that the foundation's enduring legacy is a testament to the generations of Malaysians who have served as its custodians and supporters.
“The foundation has never been the work of one person. Instead, it has always been the work of many Malaysians entrusted to us.
“60 years ago, the citizens of Malaysia created this fund to support students to access higher education. This belief in the transformative power of education is still here today.
“The foundation has remained committed to a belief that the best investment we could make in Malaysia is in its youth.
“As Tunku himself said in 1964, we must constantly bear in mind that both our present and our future depend in large measure on the youth of our young nation.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation was one of the earliest institutions created to honour a national leader.
The late Tunku Abdul Rahman’s granddaughter and YTAR chairperson Datin Sri Sharifah Menyalara Syed Hussein shared that the late prime minister had reminded her that before embarking on anything grand, one must build a strong foundation: Education.
“For him, that foundation was not simply academic achievement but education as the bedrock of character and purpose that helps young people find their place in society and contribute meaningfully to the country.
“Over six decades, we have evolved from providing financial aid and study loans to empowering high-potential and deserving young people with the capital, opportunities, skills and values to build better futures for themselves, their communities and Malaysia.
“As we reflect on how to best keep Tunku’s legacy alive, I am reminded that while a memorial asks us to look back and remember, a living institution asks us to step forward and carry those ideals into the future.”
The 60th celebration honoured and gave special recognition to Dr Zakaria Ali and Ch’ng Kim See, who were among the earliest recipients of the YTAR Scholarships.
For Ch'ng Kim See, one of the foundations earliest recipients, receiving the scholarship award "out of the blue" during a time of financial hardship in university had saved her and her family in many ways.
Since receiving her scholarship in 1967, she has gone on to become one of the country's most prominent librarians with a regional leadership in South-East Asian history as well as library and information science.
“When I didn’t have any more money for the first year (in university), I had to work. I’ve already applied to two or three scholarships (at the time) but I never got any at all.
“Then this one came out of the blue. It must be providence. I’m really, really thankful and full of gratitude. To show my gratitude, I pay forward. Whatever I can help, I will help.”
Another scholarship recipient is Dr Zakaria Ali, one of the forerunners of fine arts in Malaysia, who has built a legacy as a painter, writer, educator and academic figure in the arts.
For Zakaria, it all began after meeting an American class instructor from Texas who took a liking to him while he worked as a processing assistant, who went on to apply for Southwestern University in Austin, Texas on his behalf.
When he had no money to attend said university, his “rezeki” came after this instructor wrote to the King, the education minister and the prime minister at the time, whose efforts bore fruit as he later received an interview for the scholarship – and the rest was history.
Upon reflection of the last 60 years, Zakaria shares feeling proud and grateful for everything that fell into place.
Alumni of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship – better known as Tunku Scholars – such as such as Zakaria and Ch’ng go on to serve in every corner of nation-building, from educators to civil servants, lawyers to doctors and leaders on the frontline, all united by one belief: their collective vision to build a better Malaysia.
At the ceremony, Aaron Ago also announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 Pingat Tunku Award starting Aug 31 to Sept 30.
For the first time, self-nomination is also open to graduates of public and private higher education institutions throughout Malaysia.
Recipients of the Pingat Tunku Award have a chance to receive a Community Project Grant and a cash prize worth up to RM44,000 to help recipients start and scale their community initiatives.
The foundation also welcomes collaborations from individuals and organisations who share the same aspirations to jointly create more opportunities and shape a better future for our youth, our communities, and Malaysia.
To support the foundation’s mission in nurturing young Malaysians to reach their full potential, the public can become a donor by making either a one-off donation or a monthly gift of any amount.
The public can also opt to sponsor a Tunku Scholar, which includes comprehensive allowances and a two-year leadership development programme conducted by YTAR.
For more information or to explore collaboration opportunities with the foundation, please visit www.yayasantar.org.my.
