http://www.feer.com/2001/0112_06/p076current.html [Portions Only]

The Tunku Tapes

Candid conversations with the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister, delve deep into the character and ideas of one of Asia's most colourful politicians

Extract from the introduction by K. Das

Issue cover-dated December 06, 2001

Few figures in modern Asian history are quite as appealing as Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Whether it was his passion for horse racing or fondness for drink, the British-educated Malaysian of royal descent charmed everyone with his wit and avuncular wisdom.

The Tunku, as he was fondly known, presided over Malaysia's independence in 1957, and served as prime minister until 1970. Subsequently he became closely associated with opposition issues, and backed a rival to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when the ruling United Malays National Organization split in 1988. He spoke out against Mahathir's use of the Internal Security Act and the perceived erosion of judicial independence. The Tunku died in 1990.

Now, a collection of previously unpublished conversations with the Tunku has emerged that sheds new light on the Tunku's character and ideas. On these tapes, the Tunku offers some scathing judgments on leading figures like Mahathir ("an irresponsible man") and on the strategy of Lee Kuan Yew in seeking independence for Singapore. He also offers insights into his life as a member of the Malay aristocracy.

The interviews were conducted by poet, author and former Far Eastern Economic Review Kuala Lumpur bureau chief Veerasingam Kukathas, better known by his pen name K. Das. Das died in 1993, but many people knew that he'd been working on a book on the Tunku, with whom he had long conversations over a six-month period in 1988.

The tapes have been resurrected thanks to Malaysian social activist Kua Kia Soong and Das's own family. In this special exclusive, we present excerpts from Das's posthumous book, K. Das and the Tunku Tapes, which will be published in December

ON MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

[In 1981 Mahathir Mohamad became Malaysia's fourth prime minister. Today Mahathir is one of Asia's longest-serving leaders.]

He could set up a republic in this country within two weeks. All he has to do is put it to the parliament with his two-thirds majority, they accept it and if the consent does not come or is not approved or disapproved within two weeks, it becomes law. And so, he can turn this country from a monarchy into a republic in two weeks.