The Straits Times, Feb 9, 1977IT was the personality and dynamism of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew which finally influenced Tengku Abdul Rahman to accept Singapore into Malaysia in September 1963.
The former Malaysian Premier had twice rejected merger overtures from the two previous Chief Ministers, Mr. David Marshall and Mr. Lim Yew Hock.
The Tengku who retired as Prime Minister in 1970, said this in his column in The Star, a Penang tabloid on Monday.
The Tengku, who is now 74, was in a reminiscent mood and wrote that all in all, he had come out "unscathed to tell the tale," he said.
Recalling Singapore's merger with Malaysia, he said he remembered the days when Mr. Marshall was Chief Minister.
He was keen to join Malaya, but I knew he was not a Chinese, clever and outstanding though he may be as a lawyer and politician.
"Not being a Chinese he would not hold power for long in a Chinese dominated state, and if Singapore must join Malaya, it must have at its head a strong leader with strong support."
Mr. Lim Yew Hock succeeded Mr. Marshall as Chief Minister.
The Tengku wrote: "The next man, one who is a close friend of mine and later became a Muslim, Haji Omar Lim Yew Hock, was also anxious for merger.
"Though a Chinese, he had not the strong character or personality which would ensure for himself the support of the Chinese population. So I refused to accept merger with him."
Writing about the eventual merger, the Tengku said: "Then Mr. Lee Kuan Yew came on the scene with his personal dynamism and worked himself into my confidence.
"I knew this was the man who could hold power, so I accepted Singapore into Malaysia. He has held his position and managed Singapore with admirable success.
"Whatever may be his faults, he had proved himself one of the worthy leaders of Southeast Asia."
First published in The Straits Times on 9 February 1977.
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