Within the first three months of this year we have lost three important figures in the development of not only our nation, but in Southeast Asia as well. I write, furthermore, because I was personally saddened to learn of the passing of three of my former colleagues – Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’kub on 9thJanuary, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on 12th February, and Lee Kuan Yew on 23rd March.
As a young man from rural Sarawak, I did not have the opportunity to attend university, but in 1963 I did have the honorable task to represent the people of Saratok in Malaysia’s first Parliament. And when I left Sarawak for Kuala Lumpur, Parliament came in some ways to serve in lieu of my university education. I made a commitment to attend Parliament sittings as much as possible, because there was indeed no university where I might be able to hear such powerful and committed lecturers speak on various topics such as politics, economics, and culture. Three engaging speakers were my former colleagues – Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, Nik Aziz and Lee Kuan Yew.
When Singapore was still part of Malaysia, Lee Kuan Yew sat in the same row as I – just a few seats away – in Parliament. I admired Lee Kuan Yew’s ability to rarely appeal to emotions in his speeches, but rather address issues quite practically and directly. Nik Aziz joined Parliament later in 1967 to represent Kelantan Hilir, and I can recall the beautiful delivery of his Bahasa Malaysia, while he also spoke equally eloquently in English. He was an understanding man who respected the diverse cultures of our country. Abdul Rahman Ya’kub was also a member of Malaysia’s first Parliament, and like Niz Aziz, was also a spiritual leader. I would later become leader of the Opposition for Malaysia, and Abdul Rahman and I differed on a number of issues – but we nonetheless always remained friends and respected each other.
Of course all of us in Parliament were not always in agreement. But I remember a collegial atmosphere in which we could learn from each other, and we would also interact socially outside of the meeting hall. One evening all the ministers were invited to a party in the banquet hall of the Parliament Building. The then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak led in the festivities by dancing, calling to us ‘Kebudayaan kita” (This is our culture). As Lee Kuan Yew smiled, I saw another opportunity, and asked “Mr. Lee, would you like to join me?” Together we danced the joget and I can report that Lee Kuan Yew was not only a skilled orator, but also a skilled dancer as well.
These three figures also remain controversial for some of their policies and opinions. Personally, I can offer neither hyperbolic celebration nor dismissal of their work for the nation.
They are certainly three figures that Malaysians should remember, and that Sarawakians should read about them in their history books. I remember our days together fondly, and I express my condolences to their families.
May their souls rest in peace.