PM Transcripts

E MBAR GO 3 P. M. Sunday, 20 September 1973
FOR PRESS: P. M. i. 1o 89, 1970
RETIREMENT OF TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Tribute by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, ste7s down from
office tomorrow after thirteen years during which he has left an indelible im; rint on
Malaysian history.
The Tunku was the political architect first of Malayan Independence in 1957
and subsequently of Malaysia in 1963. In the course of his period in office he has
guided tl a national destiny with courage and remarkable skill.
He has in his time seen communist revolutionary war, undeclared external
aggression and internal divisions within Malaysia itself, each and all of them
representing a deadly peril to the nation. The fact that Tunku Abdul Rahman is able
to hand over to his successor a stable and prosperous country that is rapidly
increasing its capability for self-defence, is at peace with its neighbours, and has
a government that is deeply committed to the honourable solution of its communal
problems, is a measure of the Tunku's achievement.
Tunku Abdul Rahman's personal qualities are well known not only in his own
country and to the Commonwealth, of which he has long been a deeply respected elder
statesman, but to the world at large. These are notably, a profound tolerance and
even-handedness, a concern for human values and a firm refusal to be diverted from
his long-term objectives by alarms and pressures that he has judged to be tra-sient.
The Tunku has always been a good friend to Australia, and his departure
will be noted with regret both by my Government and by myself personally. Nevertheless
this regret will be compounded withthe satisfaction we feel that his policies have
been so well implanted. We know that the Tunku's successor Tun Abdul Razak is a
statesman very much in the Tunku's mould and no less a good friend of this country.
We wish him the best of good fortune as he prepares to accept the heavy burden of
national responsibility. Finally let me formally offer to the Tunku the best wishes of the Australian
Government and people, and the hope that his years of retirement will bring him
peace and contentment in contemplation of a career of great political achievement.
CANBERRA September 1970
BACKGROUND: The Prime Minister has also sent the Tunku a personal message, expressing
similar sentiments to this public tribute. T. EGGLETON
PRESS SECRETARY