Ismail Abdul Rahman

Ismail Abdul Rahman was a Malaysian politician who played a pivotal role in the nation's history. He was born in Johor Bahru, Johor, on 4 November 1915, to a prominent Malay family. His father was the first president of the Malayan Senate and his mother was the daughter of a state treasurer of Johor. He received his early education at Sekolah Bukit Zaharah and English College Johore Bahru, where he mingled with students of different races and backgrounds. He then pursued his medical studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1940. He returned to Malaya and served as a medical officer in various hospitals until the Japanese occupation in 1942. He joined the resistance movement against the Japanese and was involved in underground activities. After the war, he resumed his medical career and became a successful practitioner in Johor Bahru. He also became active in politics and joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant party in the Alliance coalition that fought for Malaya's independence from the British. He was elected as the member of the Federal Legislative Council for Johore Timor in 1955 and became the Minister of External Affairs in 1959. He was instrumental in negotiating Malaya's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, as well as establishing diplomatic relations with other countries. He also played a key role in the formation of Malaysia in 1963, which brought together Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. He was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs in 1965, and again in 1969, after the racial riots of May 13. He was the chairman of the National Operations Council, which was set up to restore law and order and implement reforms to address the grievances of the various communities. He was the main architect of the New Economic Policy, which aimed to eradicate poverty and reduce economic disparities among the races. He was also the deputy president of UMNO and the Alliance Party, and a close confidant of Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein. He was appointed as the second Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1970, and also held the portfolio of Minister of Trade and Industry. He was widely respected for his integrity, wisdom and moderation, and was regarded as the potential successor to Abdul Razak. However, he suffered from poor health and had several heart attacks. He died in office on 2 August 1973, at the age of 57. He was buried at the Makam Pahlawan, near the Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur. He left behind his wife Norashikin Mohd Seth and six children. He was posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia, which carries the title of Tun. He is remembered as one of the founding fathers of Malaysia and a true statesman who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.