SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Yang diPertuan Besar Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was the nation’s 10th Yang diPertuan Agong from 1994 to 1999, died at about 11.45am Saturday. He was 86 years old.
State Secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor confirmed this at a press conference at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital here.
Tuanku Ja’afar had earlier complained of dizziness and chest discomfort.
“The hospital was contacted and two senior consultants, Datuk Dr Tarmizi Thayaparan and Datuk Dr K. Sree Raman, rushed to the Istana Hinggap here to attend to Tuanku,” Norzam told a special news conference to announce the demise at the hospital’s VIP room.
Also present at the news conference were Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, State Director of Health Dr Zainal Arifin Omar and members of the royal family, according to a Bernama report.
Norzam said the two specialists arrived at Istana Hinggap at 8.25am and found Tuanku Ja’afar to be too weak but conscious and they advised that he be taken immediately to hospital.
“Tuanku was rushed to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was administered emergency treatment.
“I wish to state here that Tuanku Ja’afar passed away at 11.45am at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital,” he said, Bernama reported. Norzam said Tuanku Ja’afar’s remains would be taken to the Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah for the lying-in-state ceremony before being laid to rest after the asar prayers on Monday.
He also said that this was to allow for the return of Tuanku Ja’afar’s children who were abroad.
Norzam said Tuanku Ja’afar’s remains would be placed in the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) of the Istana Besar Seri Menanti to enable members of the royalty, leaders and the public to pay their last respects.
He said the state had declared 40 days of mourning from Saturday and all official government functions over the next seven days have been postponed.
“All government offices and buildings must fly the state flag at half-mast for the 40 days. During the mourning period, all male government employees must wear the songkok bearing a white band while the female employees are required to wear a white band on a sleeve.
“All entertainment outlets must also postpone all their activities over the next seven days from today,” he said, according to the Bernama report. Norzam said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is on holiday in London, was expected back at 10am Sunday.
Distinguished service
Born in 1922, Tuanku Ja’afar studied at Malay College Kuala Kangsar before graduating from the University of Nottingham. He then attended Balliol College in Oxford.
During the Japanese occupation, he served at the Seremban Land Office and as district officer of Rembau from 1946 to 1947. Upon his return from Britain in 1952, he held several posts in the civil service.
In 1957, he took up a special course for diplomatic services in London and was appointed Charge d’ Affaires in Washington DC, then as First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and later was Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaya in London.
Tuanku Ja’afar was later appointed the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt and then High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana.
He was recalled by the Negri Sembilan state government after the death of his brother Tuanku Munawir, the state ruler, and was appointed Ruler in 1967.
Tuanku Ja’afar was the 10th Yang diPertuan Agong of Malaysia.
He leaves behind wife Tuanku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, three sons and three daughters.
Later, Norzam said the state’s four chieftains ‑ the Undangs of Sg Ujong, Rembau, Jelebu and Johol ‑ will meet at the palace in Seri Menanti today to pick the new ruler which will be made known on Monday.Saturday July 26, 2008
Reminiscing royal
By KEE HUA CHEE
I am told to be on time for my appointment with Negri Sembilan’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman because apparently His Royal Highness is a stickler for punctuality.
And sure enough, HRH arrives on time at 11am, the appointed hour.
Istana Hinggap, in the centre of Seremban, is an elegant colonial building, but Tuanku Ja’afar’s office is surprisingly compact, with a large desk, small sitting area, cabinet and TV. The interview takes place in the grand Dewan Mengadap (Reception Hall) but I take the liberty to comment on his relatively modest office.
(Right) At 86, Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the oldest ruler in the country. — fotoBERNAMA “It is a working office, not a showpiece,” Tuanku Ja’afar says.
“I have an average of three functions (to perform) each day, including weekends, which can be even more hectic. I tend to be more busy on weekends when most people are relaxing. I work non-stop and then take a long break of one or two months.
“I usually go to Europe with the family; lately it’s been England. I have not been to the US since Bush became president,” he sighs.
I congratulate Tuanku Ja’afar on being Malaysia’s oldest ruler at 86 and what it feels like being on the throne for 41 years.
“It is difficult to say how I feel nowadays. Having reigned for so long, I think of my birthday as just another day. It’s the same thing year after year. I just carry on. There are many events, both official and private. I blow the candles on many birthday cakes and have a private party with my family, which numbers over 40 members now.”
Tuanku Ja’afar looks the picture of health despite his years. His voice is a tad softer now, but his figure remains trim and his mind alert. He has a sense of humour, too. When asked how he keeps hale and hearty, he quips, “Exercise and looking at young girls.”
“In life, you cannot expect things to go your way all the time. If something goes wrong, just accept it as ‘one of those things’! What cannot be cured must be endured.”
Tuanku Jaa’far, an Arsenal fan, is pleased when I note that his family is referred to as the Royal Family of Sports.
“I played all sorts of sports in school and was captain of the squash, cricket and tennis teams. I also played hockey, football and badminton. I excelled in games, not studies,” the law graduate and Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for 31 years notes wryly, adding that the sporting trait has been passed on to his children.
Malaysia’s 10th king
Tuanku Ja’afar was the 10th King of Malaysia, reigning as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1994 to 1999, thereby completing the first cycle of Malaysia’s unique system of rotating monarchs which begun with his father.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad was Malaysia’s first King from 1957 to 1960 when he passed away while in office. The title Yang di-Pertuan Agong was inspired by Negri Sembilan’s royal title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“My father Tuanku Abdul Rahman and our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman were great friends. Tunku discussed with my father what title to use for the King of Malaysia. As we already had Sultan, Raja and Yang di-Pertuan Besar titles, none of these could be used.
“There could not be a Sultan of Malaysia, for instance, so my father suggested something similar to his title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar, which means ‘Supreme Ruler’. Tunku Abdul Rahman liked the idea, so another word similar to Besar had to be found and, of course, it was Agong, which means ‘paramount’ so the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is ‘Paramount Ruler’.”
Tuanku Ja’afar said he was involved in the discussions over Merdeka (independence) in London.
“Tunku Abdul Rahman was demanding Malaysia’s independence and there were five Malayan representatives, including Temenggong Jugah from Sarawak. The British were dilly-dallying but Tunku insisted on a date. Many wondered why August 31 was selected but there was no particular reason.”
The fact that both the King and Prime Minister were named Abdul Rahman led to much confusion and letters were often misdirected, Tuanku Ja’afar recalled.
“It was to overcome this problem that Ayah (our name for our first Prime Minister) added Putra (‘Prince’) to his name so that he became known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, as though to emphasise that he was a prince, not a king.”
I ask Tuanku Ja’afar if 10 was a significant number for him since he is the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and was also the 10th King of Malaysia, after having been deputy King for 10 years.
“I don’t put anything in this number. It’s just a nice coincidence!” he smiles.
Tuanku Ja’afar has fond memories from his time as King.
“As King, my state visits were most memorable. I visited Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in South America, and in Europe I visited Poland, Russia and met the Queen of England privately. In South-East Asia, I visited Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines but not Singapore.
“I must have met over 100 dignitaries and VIPs. The president of Germany told me, ‘Tuanku, you must come to Germany, not to see me, but the captain of our football team Beckenbauer!
“Once I attended a Commonwealth meeting in South Africa with Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the President of South Africa was also there. South Africa was then under Apartheid rule, and Tunku Abdul Rahman was all for dismantling it. In fact, he proposed that South Africa be kicked out of the Commonwealth.
“The South African president explained, ‘Our policy is not perfect but it makes for good neighbours’, to which Nehru of India retorted, ‘I won’t be your good neighbour because I have to go in separate buses and live in separate housing’. When we went to visit a waterfall, Prince Alexander of Ethiopia was not allowed to step down from the bus!
“He had to wait for us inside the bus because the police stopped him.”
Topical topics
“Things are getting expensive now. My suggestion is to create more land development so farmers can make money. Some Felda settlers now earn RM2,000 to RM6,000 a month. Sabah and Sarawak are doing it also on a big scale.
“People should cultivate the land and grow vegetables, fruit and flowers. Animal rearing, fish farms and raising chickens and cows are also good. In my day, people were much poorer and worked the land. Now all the smartly dressed young men prefer to work indoors in air-conditioned comfort as officers and administrators.”
He points to an astonished servant who has just entered carrying a tray of tea and cakes.
“He earns RM1,600 a month just carrying things and all that. Pay is lacking in some private sectors compared to government posts.”
Tuanku Ja’afar is against the idea of minimum wage.
“Malaysia is not ready for it yet. We are still not as rich as the western countries. Some people really work but others don’t want to work hard as they know they will still get the same pay, so it is not fair. Those who work hard and have the entrepreneurial spirit should be rewarded, not the lazy ones.”
He says corruption is a concern.
“Corruption is getting rife as some elements from the police and government servants could be involved. The Government is taking action, and it must be drastic. They must be seen to be taking action. Likewise, justice must be done and seen to be done!”
Birthday wish
Surveying the current political scene, Tuanku Ja’afar sighs, “One is ambitious to be Prime Minister, one wishes to retain the post. This political game is very complex and difficult to forecast.
“We may have Tengku Razaleigh (Hamzah) and (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) in the Umno presidential race. In the papers, I read that Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) has said (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) will not be PM. The Malays are not united, and Umno needs to be resuscitated.
“My advice is to unite if possible. But one must lose, either Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) or (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim). We may have to choose between Umno and PKR while Pas is getting stronger. I would also advise Negri Sembilan people not to attend demonstrations as these things should be settled in Parliament.”
Meanwhile, we all wish Tuanku Ja’afar many more birthdays to come!
从今日起的7天内，森州所有娱乐活动必须全面停止，州政府的官方活动也会展延7天进行。同时森州也会下半旗40天，以示哀悼。
端姑惹化殿下曾出任我国第10任国家元首，其生前勤政爱民，深得子民爱戴。
停止娱乐活动7天
森州秘书拿督诺詹今午1时15分在医院贵宾室召开记者会，披露殿下今早在医院深切治疗室驾崩的讯息。
他说，殿下是于今早8时10分在芙蓉皇家山行宫申诉头及胸部感到不适，在传召医院专科医生前往诊治后，于8时25分在医生劝告下被送往医院治疗。
他说，殿下在入院时陷入昏迷状态，最终在深切治疗室抢救不果而驾崩。
他说，殿下遗体将被运返神安池皇宫供子民瞻仰，并于下周一安葬，时间另行安排。
目前，殿下多名孩子及森州务大臣拿督斯里莫哈末哈山皆身在国外，他们将在日内赶返奔丧。
子民可瞻仰遗容
此外，森州皇室成员及多名州行政议员在接获消息后，也于今午皆赶往医院了解情况。
诺詹指出，子民可以前往瞻仰殿下遗容，男性回教徒须头戴配有白边的宋谷，而男性非回教徒则受鼓励头戴配有白边的宋谷及身穿衣袖有白边的深色衣服。
“至于女性回教徒可身着马来服装及深色头巾，女性非回教徒则穿着深色整齐衣服即可。”
询及是否会安排公假，他说，此问题另行安排。
端姑惹化殿下于1922年7月19日诞生于雪兰莪州，是我国首任国家元首已故端姑阿都拉曼的次子。
现年86岁的殿下，于1967年登基为森州最高统治者，迄今已41年，是一名深受森州子民爱戴的君王。
殿下年轻时曾前往英国升学，回国后在外交事业发展，于50年代至60年代期间，出任多个国家大使。
于1940年，殿下在霹雳江沙马来学院完成中学教育，即前往新加坡莱佛士学院升学，后来因学第2次世界大战而被逼放弃学业返回马来亚。
世界大战后，殿下飞往英国诺丁汉大学深造，同时，获得奖励金修读法律，过后逗留英国，在迪文亚牛津大学进修经济课程。
殿下于1952年完成学业回国后，第一份在公共领域的工作是担任霹雳州秘书、霹雳州巴力县副县长，过后再任森州淡边县县长。
1966年，殿下前往伦敦选修服务文凭课程后，出任我国驻华盛顿外交官员，一年后被调往英国，担任我国驻伦敦最高专员王者首席秘书。
殿下于1962年4月18日出任森州最高统治者；统治期间非常关注人民问题和州政府行政管理，同时也带领森州经济领域的发展，特别是工业及房屋方面，以提升人民生活水准。
此外，殿下也在1994年出任我国第10任国家元首。
爱国爱民的殿下，是一名注重慈善活动、关心子民生活的君主，同时，也通过官方的安排出席活动，与民会面。
每年7月19日的森最高统治者华诞，殿下都会在庇劳神安池举行检阅仪式，同时也颁发各级勋衔给有功臣民。
在不久前，特别法庭甫发出一项庭令，要殿下偿还99万9772美元予渣打银行，以兑现在信用状（Letter of Credit）下的款项。
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