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Transcript of Tunku Great IDEAS Final Print Version Feb 2011
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The Tunkus Great Ideas
February 2011
ByLenard Lim Yangli
with foreword byTunku Abidin Muhriz
IDEAS REPORT
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The Tunkus great ideas
ByLenard Lim Yangli
Foreword by
Tunku Abidin Muhriz
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Contents
About the author 3
Acknowledgements 3
Foreword 4
Introduction 5
Rule of law 6
Limited government 9
Free market 12
Individual liberty 16
Conclusion 20
Bibliography 21
About the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs 22
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February2011IDEASMalaysiaInstituteforDemocracyandEconomicAffairs(IDEAS)D6TamanTunku,BukitTunku50480KualaLumpur,MalaysiaEmail:[email protected]:+60362018896/8897
Fax:0362110222
LenardLimYangliconductedthisstudyduringashortstintatIDEASbetweenDecem-ber2010andJanuary2011.HeisnowcompletinghisstudiesatMiddleburyCollege,USA,majoringinHistory.
About the author
Acknowledgements
TheauthorisindebtedtoArkibNegara,especiallytheMemorialTunkuAbdulRahmanLibrary,andPerpustakaanNegarafortheircooperationandassistancetowardsthisstudy.
ISBN978-967-0143-04-0
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1 Proclamation of Independence, 31 August 1957
2 Preamble of the Rukunegara
Introduction
... with Gods blessing shallbe forever a sovereign,democratic and independentState founded upon theprinciples of liberty and justiceand ever seeking the welfareand happiness of its people
and the maintenance of a justpeace among all nations.1
... Ensuring a liberal approachto her rich and diverse culturaltradition.2
TheProclamationofIndependenceandthe
RukunegaraareundoubtedlyamongMalaysiasmost
importantdocuments.Theformerwasreadoutby
TunkuAbdulRahmanonthatfatefuldayinAugust,
1957,markingthereignofhispremiership.Thelatter
wasreadout12yearslaterduringTunkuAbdul
RahmanslastofcialMerdekadaycelebrationas
PrimeMinister.
Unfortunately,justlikeTunkuAbdulRahmanhimself,
bothdocumentshavenotbeengiventhenecessary
scholarshiptheydeserve.Thisstudyseeksto
correctthat.IbelievethatTunkuAbdulRahman
wasaclassicalliberal,andthathesubscribedtothe
conceptsofruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,freemarketandindividualliberty.Throughexamining
TunkuAbdulRahmanswriting,speechesand
interviews,Iwillseektovalidatemyhypothesis.
Thisstudyisgroupedintochaptersaccordingto
thefourmainprinciplesofclassicalliberalismthe
ruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,freemarketand
individualliberty.EachchapterwillexploreTunku
AbdulRahmansstandontherespectiveconcept
anddemonstratehisbeliefsthroughexcerptsofhis
writings,speeches,interviewsandalsoanecdotes
fromothersources.Thestudywillthencomeup
withanoverallconclusionattheend.
Oneshortcomingofthisstudyistheincompleteness
oforiginalliterature.MostoftheliteraturethatI
haveexaminedisinEnglish-eithertheTunkusown
writingsortranslations,particularlyofhisspeeches
duringhispremiership.Furthermore,Ihavenot
beenabletoexamineallofTunkuAbdulRahmans
speeches,especiallythosefrom1960to1970asthey
arenotallavailableattheMemorialTunkuAbdul
Rahmanslibrary,ArkibNegara,ortheNational
Library.
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Rule of law
InhislastnationallybroadcastedspeechasPrime
MinisterdeliveredontheeveofMerdekadayin
1970,TunkuAbdulRahmansolemnlyurgedMalaysians
toobserveveprinciplesoftheRukunegara before
announcingthatTunRazakwillbereplacinghim
soonasPrimeMinister. 1Tunkusmovingspeech
providedapreviewtotheRukunegara,whichwas
laterproclaimedthefollowingdaybytheYangdi-
PertuanAgonginconjunctionwiththeMerdekaDaycelebrationof1970.
TheRukunegara,formulatedinthewakeofthe
tragedyof13May1969,espousesthevisionof
Malaysiaandveguidingprinciples,namely:Beliefin
God;LoyaltytoKingandCountry;Upholdingthe
Constitution;SovereigntyoftheLaw;andGood
BehaviourandMorality.Likewise,theseprinciplesof
theRukunegara alsottinglydescribeTunkuAbdulRahman.Oncedubbedasthenationsconscience,
theGod-fearingTunkuwasarmbelieverin
constitutionalismandtheruleoflaw. 2
Growingupasaprince,TunkuAbdulRahman
benettedfromarelativelyprivilegedupbringing.
HereceivedhisearlyeducationinBangkokand
subsequentlythePenangFreeSchoolpriortogaining
admittanceatStCatharinesCollegeatCambridge
Universitytoreadhistoryandlaw.
Uponnishinghisstudies,TunkuAbdulRahman
workedasaDistrictOfcerinKedah.Hewould
laterreturntoEnglandtwicetocompletehisstudies
atInnerTemple,eventuallyqualifyingfortheBarin
1947attheageof46.TunkuAbdulRahmanreturned
toMalaysiain1949andworkedattheLegalOfce
inAlorStarbeforebecomingaDeputyPublic
ProsecutorinKualaLumpur.Assuch,TunkuAbdul
Rahmansupbringingandcareergreatlycontributed
towardshisappreciationoftheruleoflaw.
Theconceptoftheruleoflaw,whicharguesthat
everyonecouldbejudged,hasalongaccompanying
historytoit.Whilecommonlyattributedtothe
AncientGreekphilosophersPlatoandAristotle,the
conceptoftheruleoflawhasalsosproutedorbeen
afrmedindependentlyinothercivilizationssuchas
theChinese,thePersians,theArabsandtheEnglish.
Infact,ancientMalaykingdomsacknowledged
theimportanceoftheruleoflaw.Clauseson
theTerengganuInscriptionStone(Batu Bersurat
Terengganu)of1303statethateventheRuleris
subjectedtoahigherlaw.
Indeedeveryoneshouldbesubjectedtothesameset
ofrulesandlaws.Asystemofgovernmentinwhich
allpersons,includingthoseinpositionsofpower,areaccountableunderthelawisthebestsafeguard
againstdictatorshipandtotalitarianism.DavidBoaz
1 For the full speech, see Face The Future With Faith and WithoutFear in Victor Morais, Selected Speeches. (Petaling Jaya: PerchetakanTenggara at Malayan Printers, 1967), 58-60
2 Tunku & The Star exhibition at Memorial Tunku Abdul RahmanPutra The Star. December 15, 2010. Available at http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=central&file=/2010/ 12/15/central/7613585 (Ac-
cessed 29 December, 2010)
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1 David Boaz, Key Concepts of Libertarianism. Available at http://www.cato.org/pub_ display.php?pub_id=5758 (Accessed on January2, 2011)
2 Kua Kia Soong, K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD,2002), 134-135
3 Speech to Federal Legislative Council on July 10, 1957. Publishedin The Straits Times, July 11, 1957. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words.(Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76
4 The Malay Mail, September 18, 1961. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words.(Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76
oftheCatoInstitutefurtherelaboratestheconcept
ofruleoflawwhenhearguesthatthelawsshould
begenerallyapplicableanddevelopedlegalrules,
notbyarbitrarycommands,andthatthoserules
shouldprotectthefreedomofindividualstopursue
happinessintheirownways,notaimatanyparticular
resultoroutcome.1
InaninterviewwithformerFarEasternEconomic
ReviewKualaLumpurBureauChiefVeerasingam
Kukathas,betterknownbyhispennameK.Das,
TunkuAbdulRahman(TAR)hadthistosaywhen
askedtodenetheruleoflaw:
TAR:Youmustobservethelaw,respectanduphold
thelaw,thatishowitissupposedtobe.Torespect
theruleoflaw,youdonthavetobealawyer.We
knowtheruleofthelawissupposedtoprovide
justiceandsoon.Weknowallthat,butthereare
certainquestionsthathavetodowithjusticewith
fairplay
Das:ThewayIunderstandit,theruleoflawisthe
rulebylawwhichobservetheprinciplesofnatural
justice.
TAR:Thatisthemainthingnaturaljustice.
Das:Ifyougobeyondthat,itisonlyalegality.
TAR:Thatsright. 2
ForTunkuAbdulRahman,theruleoflawwasof
utmostimportance.Whileghtingforindependence,
TunkuAbdulRahmanwonovertheFederal
LegislativeCounciltoacceptthenewconstitution
foranindependentMalayawithhisspeech:
TheConstitutionprovidestheframeworkfora
happyandcontentedFederation.Letusmakeit
workandbuildourselvesandourdescendents
aShangri-lawherebywecanallliveinpeace,
happinessandprosperity.3
TunkuAbdulRahmanstronglybelievedthatthe
constitutionwouldprovidethenewlyindependent
Malayawithastrongfoundationtobuildagreat
andprosperousnation.Furthermore,inaspeech
deliveredtotheConferenceofAsianJuristinTokyo
in1961,Tunkuarguedthattheruleoflawwas
fundamentaltowardsmaintainingpeaceandsecurity:
Itis,therefore,thedutyofbothmenandthe
nationofmeninrelationtotheirownStateand
ofnationsintherelationtoanothertospareno
efforttosustaintheruleoflawtoensurethereign
ofpeace.
WeinMalayahavearmandenduringrespectfor
theruleoflaw,andclearlydenedourConstitution
asthesupremelawoftheFederation
Itisourrmbelief,enshrinedinprincipleand
provedbyexperience,thattheindependenceofthe
authorityandintegrityoflawisanessentialbasisfor
democracy,bindingandprotectingboththestateandthecitizens.4
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NoonewasabovethelawforTunkuAbdulRahman.
Infact,thisisparticularlytrueforthepeoplewhoare
responsibleforcreatingthelaws.Whenrecallingthe
incidentofSelangorMenteriBesar,DatoSeriHarun
Idriswhorefusedtoattendthecourttoreceivehis
judgmentonbeingfoundguiltyofcorruptiondueto
abuseofstatefunds,TunkuAbdulRahmandidnot
mincehiswords:
Thelawsofthecountryaremadebythe
Governmentandmostofthepeopleinthe
GovernmentbelongtoUMNO.Assuchthepeople
whomadethelawshouldabidebythem.1
IfUMNOmembersdisregardedtheconstitution
andthelaw,includingcourtorders,thentheycould
notexpectanythingbetterfromothers.2
BecauseofhisroyalupbringingwitnessingtheSultan
havingabsolutepower,TunkuAbdulRahmanwaswell
awareofthedangersofthemonarchsbeingabove
thelaw.ForTunkuAbdulRahman,theConstitutionis
thesupremelawoftheland,andthemonarchsare
notaboveit:
Justastheconstitutionensuresthathisofce
isrespected,sotoomustaRulerrespectthe
Constitution.3
Assuch,whenthenPrimeMinisterTunDrMahathir
beganhiscrusadeagainstthemonarchsbyusing
thealready-curtailedmainstreammediatohighlight
variousincidentsandabuseswhichhadallegedly
beenperpetrated,TunkuAbdulRahmanactually
voicedamodicumofsupporttowardschangesinthe
Constitutiontorectifysomeoftheabuses:
Inthisdemocratic,egalitarianageitisundesirable
thatanyoneshouldbecompletelyabovethelaw.
IftheRuleristobemadeliable,asinthecaseofa
privateperson,undertheprovisionofthecriminal
lawofMalaysia(whichisaFederallaw),then
appropriateconstitutionalamendmentisnecessary.4
Itisunfortunate,however,thatthechanges
introducedatthattimeresultedonlyinafurther
strengtheningoftheexecutive.Therealneed
-improvingtheeffectivenessofourcheckand
balanceinstitutions-wasnotproperlyaddressed.
Nonetheless,TunkuAbdulRahmanremained
consistenttilltheendonthesupremacyofthe
Constitutionandtheimportanceoftheruleoflaw.
PerhapsthebestexampleofTunkuAbdulRahmans
commitmentisdemonstratedinhisMerdekaday
speechof1969shortlyafteroneofthedarkest
periodsofhispremiership:
Theconstitutionissupremeanditmustbeupheld
byallirrespectiveofclass,creedorcolour,itisalso
apermanentguaranteeofstabilityandcontinuityin
thelifeofthisnation.5
1 The Harun Affair, The Star, 6 March 1978
2 Looking back at 1978, The Star, 1 January 1979
3 The Ruler and Their Responsibility, The Star, 13 July 1975
4 Review the Constitution, The Star, 31 August 1984
5 Merdeka day speech delivered on 31 August, 1969
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1 From an interview with Halinah Todd. Published inNew StraitsTimes, February 8, 1983. Compiled in Tunku: In His Words. (Malaysia:NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 84. Note that Tunku Abdul Rahmanalso counted his Deputy Ministers, and as such also counted DrMahathirs Deputy Ministers
2 After his landslide victory in the General Elections of March 2004,
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi appointed 33 Ministers, 38 DeputyMinisters and even created 22 new positions of Parliamentary Secre-taries.
Limited government
InmytimewehadaCabinetof13Ministers.Even
thentheydidnthaveenoughwork.Whattheydo
nowwith45,Idontknow.1
InhisinterviewwiththeNewStraitsTimesin
1983,TunkuAbdulRahmanwasexasperatedatthe
sizeofCabinetofthenPrimeMinisterDatoSeri
DrMahathirMohamad.Imaginehisdisgustwere
hearoundtondoutthatunderPrimeMinisterDatoSeriAbdullahAhmadBadawi,thesizeofthe
ministerialranksmorethandoubledtoanalltime
highof93!2
Fortheauthor,thegovernmentisaninstitution
towhichcitizensdelegatetheauthoritytogovern.
Nonetheless,governmentisapowerfulinstitution
anditcaneasilybecomeadangerousone,especially
whenitcancoercecitizensintoobedience,subvertingtheverypeoplewhobestowedupon
themtheauthoritytogovern.Topreventsuch
coercion,thegovernmentmustbelimited.
Theconceptoflimitedgovernmentarguesthatthe
powersofthegovernmentmustbeconstrained,
usuallythroughawrittenconstitutionthatboth
enumeratesandlimitsexecutivepowerwithchecks
andbalances.InMalaysia,thesechecksandbalancesarenormallypresentintheformoftheJudiciary,
theLegislatureandourconstitutionalmonarchy,
particularlytheinstitutionoftheConferenceof
Rulers.
AsatrainedlawyerthroughtheBritishsystem,
TunkuAbdulRahmanstudiedtheseparationof
powersbetweentheExecutive,theJudiciaryand
theLegislature.TunkuAbdulRahmanperfectly
understoodtheimportanceofcheckandbalances.
Whilecommentingontheexecutive,TunkuAbdul
RahmanelaboratestheroleoftheYangdi-Pertuan
AgongandtheCabinet:
TheauthorityofthecrownisvestedintheKing,but
theexecutivepowerofthemonarchisexercisedby
thePrimeMinisterandhisCabinet.3
Despitehisroyalheritage,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas
clearabouttheroleoftheRulers.Healwaysupheld
thattheConstitutionisthesupremelawofthe
land,andthattherulersarenotaboveit.Hisdeep
fascinationwiththestoryofRajaBersiong,loosely
basedontheHikayat Merong Mahawangsa,provides
usinsightsintohisstandaboutpower,theRulersand
thepeople.Inthestory,theRuler,RajaOngMaha
Peritadevelopsatasteforhumanblood.Overtime,
hegrewfangsandbeganattackingthepeopleof
hiskingdomtofeastonthem.Intheend,thetown
peoplebecamefuriousandkilledtheRuler.Indeed,TunkuAbdulRahmanstronglybelievedthatthe
peopleofMalaysiatrulyheldpower:
3 Malaysias Monarch: Democratic Symbol and Basis for StableGovernment, The Star, 6 July 1975
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1 Princes and Politics, The Star, 23 January 1978
2 Plight of New Muslims Beyond the Fringe After Conversion, TheStar, 18 August 1975
3 That British Newspaper Report On Our Next King: All Spite andVenom, The Star, 5 March 1984
Theconstitutionimplieswithoutroomfor
contradictionthatthoughtheSultansaresovereign
headsofstatetheyhavenopowertorule.The
powerliesinthehandsofthepeoplewhothrough
theirrepresentativesrunthegovernmentofthe
nationandthestates.1
Thepeoplehaveanunquestionablerighttoexpect
thatthegovernmentandMPstheyelect,andthe
ofcersofthecivilservice,whosesalariestheypay,
shall,inreturnforthecondenceandtrustthey
havereceived,honourtheobligationstheyhavetothepeople,andthatmeanstoallcitizensof
Malaysia.2
IrepeatthattherealRulersofMalaysiaarethe
peoplewhoundertheConstitutionassumepowers
completeandabsolute,andsuchpowersasthey
wieldcanendtheruleofanyRuleratamoment's
notice.3
TunkuAbdulRahmanalsosupportedseparationof
powerwithin thevariousbranchesofstatepower.
Forexample,withintheExecutivebranchTunku
AbdulRahmansawthecivilservicesroleasthe
vehicletocarryoutthepoliciesofthegovernmentof
theday.TheirroleisseparatefromtheCabinet,and
assuch,theyshouldneverinterferewithanydecision
makingprocesses.Therefore,thecivilservantsare
nevertobeblamedformerelycarryingoutorders,shouldtherebeanymistakeinthepoliciesofthe
government:
Thefunctionofagoodcivilserviceistoensurethat
theprogressandwell-beingofthecountrywillbe
alwaysmaintained,andthatitwillcarryoutpolicies
ofthegovernmentinpower,subjectalwaystothe
constitution.4
IhaveinformedtheHousebeforethattheduties
andresponsibilitiesofGovernmentofcersareto
managetheday-to-dayaffairsoftheGovernment
machineryandnevertointerferewithpolicy.
We(theCabinet)haveneverbeeninuencedbytheirpolicy.Oncertainoccasions,however,
weaskthemfortheiradviceanditisuptothe
Governmenttoacceptsuchadviceornot.
ButthepolicymustremaintheGovernmentsit
istheGovernmentsresponsibility.Ifitisproved
wrong,thentheMinistersstandtobeblamed,but
nevertheGovernmentservants.5
WhenhewasstillPrimeMinister,andassuchpart
oftheExecutivebranchofgovernment,TunkuAbdul
Rahmanrespectedandupheldtheconceptofthe
separationofpowersinthegovernment.Inaspeech
commemoratingTunkuAbdulRahman,JusticeDato
JamesFoonggavetwoanecdotesofthisseparation.6
TherstincidentwaswhenTunkuAbdulRahman
unsuccessfullytriedtosueaprominentpartyleader
ofthenowdefunctPartiNegarafordefamation.TheHighCourtJudge,whojustthreemonthsearlierhad
beenappointedafterbeingrecommendedbyTunku
4 Power-seekers in the government, Viewpoints, 58
5 Speech in Dewan Rakyat. Published in The Straits Times, December15, 1962
6 Late Bloomer With Great Timing, Justice Dato James Foong, 11June 2008. Available at http://aliran.com/764.html (Accessed on January3, 2011)
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AbdulRahman,dismissedthecaseduetothelackof
evidence.Althoughdisappointed,TunkuAbdulRahman
acceptedthedecisiongracefullyanddidnotsubmit
anappealnorcommentnegativelytothemedia.
ThesecondincidentwaswhenTunkuAbdulRahman
attemptedtorecommendanoldfriendtobecome
aHighCourtJudge.TheChiefJusticehowever,
voicedstrongreservationsoverthesuitabilityof
thecandidate.TunkuAbdulRahmanacceptedthis
opinionandwithdrewhissuggestion,ratherthan
insistonthenarrowinterpretationofArticle122B
oftheFederalConstitutionwhichsaysthataPrime
MinisteristoconsulttheChiefJusticebefore
tenderinghisadvicetotheYangdi-PertuanAgong
ontheappointmentofaJudge.TunkuAbdulRahman
perfectlyunderstoodtheroleandthepowersof
theJudiciary,aselaboratedinhisspeechtothe
ConferenceofAsianJuristinTokyo:
TheConstitutionalsoassertstheindependenceof
ourCourtsandJudges,andempowerstheSupreme
Courtwiththejurisdictionofinterpretationofthe
Constitutionitself,whichmustbedeclaredinopen
court.1
NeitherdidTunkuAbdulRahmaninterferewith
theLegislativebranchofthegovernment.Tunku
AbdulRahmanopinedthattheLegislativebranch
ofgovernment,composedbytheMembersof
Parliament,isindependentandultimatelyanswerable
tothepeopleofMalaysia:
Inactualfact,membersareentitledtovoteanyway
theyliketosupportortoopposeanyBillpresented
intheHouse.ThisishowParliamentworks.There
isnoreasonablecauseforexpellingmemberswho
voteagainstaBill.2
Wemustrespectthewishesofthepeople.Thisis
theveryessenceofdemocracy.Menintheirofcial
capacitywithpowervestedinthemshouldalways
bemindfulofthefeelingsofothers,particularlythe
smallman.3
1 The Malay Mail, September 18, 1961. Compiled in Tunku: In HisWords. (Malaysia: NSTP Resource Centre, 2009), 76
2 Kelantan, Pas And Asri, The Star, 19 December 1977
3 The Essence of Democracy, The Star, 24 December 1984
I repeat that the real Rulers
of Malaysia are the people
who under the Constitution
assume powers complete
and absolute, and such
powers as they wield can
end the rule of any Ruler ata moments notice.
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1 See Economic Planning in KS Jomo, Growth and structural changes inthe Malaysian Economy. (Hampshire: Macmillan, 1990), 109-110. KS Jomois a Malaysian economist who is the UN Assistant Secretary-General forEconomic Development at the time of writing.
2 Speech at the dinner at the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, August19, 1961.
Free market
Allsocietyneedstoengageineconomicactivity
tosurviveandourish,andthisisespeciallytrue
formodernsocieties.Oneofthemostimportant
everydayeconomicactivitiesistransaction.A
transactionisaneconomicactivitybetweentwoor
morevoluntaryparties.Forthattransactiontooccur,
eachpartymustrstandforemosthavetherights
topropertybeforetheyhavetherightstoexchange
propertybymutualagreement.
Allpartiesundertaketheexchangebecauseeach
expectstogainfromit.Trade,orvoluntaryexchange,
isengagedinpreciselybecausebothpartiesbenet;if
theydidnotexpecttogain,theywouldnotagreeto
theexchange.
Afreemarketisamarketwherethereisno
economicinterventionandregulationbythestate,excepttoenforceprivatecontractsand
theownershipofproperty.Insuchasystem,
thegovernmenthasverylimitedroleinthe
administrationandthelegislationofeconomic
activities.
Whilecurrentlythereisnocountryintheworld
practisingapurefreemarketeconomy,thereis
arguablyastrongcasetobemadebetweenone
countrysprosperityandhowfreeitseconomyis.
TunkuAbdulRahmanunderstoodthiswell.Under
hisadministration,Malaysiapursuedapolicy
whicheconomistKSJomodescribedasa laissez-
fairedevelopmentstrategywithminimumstate
interferenceexceptensuringsuitableconditions
forrapidcapitalaccumulation...Thelaissez faire
developmentstrategyofthe1960sprecludeddirect
governmentparticipationinprotableactivities,
suchascommerceandindustry,whichwereleft
exclusivelytoprivatebusinessinterests.1
TunkuAbdulRahmanbelievedthatgovernment
shouldneverdabbleinbusiness,orworse,nationalise
industries.ToTunku,thegovernmentdoesnot
havethenecessaryskillstoengageinbusiness.Any
attempttodosowouldbedetrimental:
Thereisasectionofthepeoplewhoadvocate
nationalisingcertainbusinessesandindustries.Butas
longastheAllianceremainsinpowersuchconcepts
willnotbeputintopracticebecausewedonot
believesuchmeasureswillbenetoureconomy.
Ifthegovernmentthinksitcouldrunallthetrades
andindustriesinMalayaitwouldhavedonesoright
fromthebeginning.Itdoesnothavethebusiness
experienceorknow-howtowanttoundertake
businessdirectlyitself...
TheAllianceGovernmentwillnotchangeitspolicyofencouragingfreeenterprisebecauseweknow
whatisgoodandwhatisnotgoodforthecountry.2
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Hence,whencommentingonthenewsof
BumiputeraMalaysiaFinance(BMF),aunitofBank
BumiputraMalaysiaBhdlosingUS$1billion,Tunku
AbdulRahmancouldonlyexpresshisdisappointment:
IhavealwaysmaintainedthattheGovernmentmust
notindulgeinbusiness.Thismustbelefttothe
businesscommunity.Therearemanylossesincurred
bytheGovernmentoflateandthisshouldbea
goodlessontoourleadersnottomixpoliticswith
business.1
InthecontextoftheColdWar,thedirectopposite
ofafreemarketeconomywouldbeacentralised
economy,wheregovernmentwouldhaveabsolute
controlovereveryeconomicaspect.Thecountries
whichpracticesucheconomicideologywerethe
countriesoftheCommunistBloc.Asastaunchanti-
communist,TunkuAbdulRahmancouldneverallow
Malaysiatofalltosuchatragedy.Instead,TunkuAbdul
Rahmanpursuedfreedom.Thiscanalsobeseenin
hisspeechatthedinnerhonouringthevisitingVice-
PresidentoftheUnitedStates,SpiroAgnew:
MrVicePresident,Iamalsogladtorecallthatthere
existmanysimilaritiesbetweenourtwocountries.
Bothcountriessubscribetothesamedemocratic
ideals,bothbelieveinthesystemoffreeenterprise
andbothupholdthehighidealsofhumanrightsand
freedom.2
AlthoughheknewthatMalayswerelagging
economicallypost-independence,TunkuAbdul
Rahmanafrmedhiscommitmenttoalaissez-
faireeconomydespitedemandsforgovernment
intervention.WhenthethenMinisterofAgriculture,
AbdulAzizIshaktransferredChinese-ownedrice
millstoMalay-dominatedruralcooperatives,Tunku
dismissedAzizforunconstitutionalpractices. 3
Instead,TunkuAbdulRahmanbelievedinfairnessand
competition:
InMalayawewelcomefaircompetition,evenifit
competeswithourownindustry.4
Whileembracingfreeeconomyandcompetition,
Tunkustillmanagedtopursuepoliciesthat
acknowledgedtheperceivedrelativeeconomic
weaknessofMalays.Thisiswherehisapproach
isunique.Tunkustronglybelievedinhelpingthe
Malays,buthedidnotwanttodoitattheexpenseofeconomicstability.Hemaintainedthisviewinhislast
speechasUMNOpresident:
Ofcourse,wehaveagreatdealmoretodoto
helptheMalaysimprovetheirlotbecauseoftheir
backwardness.Therateofprogressisadmittedly
slowbecausewehavesetourtargetprettyhighbut
thehelpwhichisforthcomingisassured.Wecannot
takeveryimmediateordrasticactionforthiswould
obstructtheprogressofthecountry,andwould
causeaserioussetback.Ifthenationaldevelopment
1 UMNO Must Remain United to be Strong, The Star, 22 September1986
2 Speech at dinner honouring the Vice President of the United States,Spiro Agnew, January 8, 1970.
3 See Tunku Abdul Rahman (1957-1970): Transition to Modernizationin Anthony S.K. Shome,Malay Political Leadership. (London: Routledge,
2009), 75
4 Speech at the opening of the Japan Trade Fair in KL, February 13,1960
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isobstructed,orinanywayinterferedwith,then
oureconomywouldbejeopardizedascanbeseen
elsewhereinthecountriesofSoutheastAsia.Any
drasticactiontohelpourpeoplewouldhavean
adverseeffectwiththestateofoureconomyina
topsy-turvy,andthereforeitwouldnotbepossible
togiveanyrespectofthereligionofIslamorour
people.1
ItwasthereforenosurprisethatTunkuAbdul
RahmanwascriticaloftheNewEconomicPolicy.
TunkuAbdulRahmandidnotbelieveindistortingthe
markettoachievearbitrarilyconceivedgoals.Instead,
hisgovernmentpromotedincentivessuchastax
exemptionsandinfrastructuretoorganicallygrow
theeconomy.
TunkuAbdulRahmansoppositiontogovernment
interventionintheeconomy,suchasthoseextolled
bytheNewEconomicPolicy,largelystemsfrom
theentailingdetrimentaloutcomes,especially
theunintendedconsequences.Inmakingnational
decisions,thereareneveranyeasyoptions.
Nonetheless,TunkuAbdulRahmanalwaysweighted
theconsequencesofanyaction.Thislineofthought
isdemonstratedwhenhearguedinthecaseofthe
governmentraisingtaxesoncigarettesandalcohol
duringarecession:
So,asaresultoftheimpositionofduties,everybody
hastobeartheconsequences.Imaysaythe
increaseindutiesoncigarettesandotheressentials
hastostopsometime.Thetraderecessioncaused
bythehighcostofproductionmaycauseeconomic
problemsandthiswillbemoreharmfuland
destructivetohumansocietythanalltheharmful
effectsofcigarettesanddrinksputtogether.2
InhislaterwritingsreectingtheNewEconomic
Policy,TunkuAbdulRahmanmaintainedhiscritical
views.TunkuAbdulRahmanevenpointedngersat
thecorruptioncreatedbytheNewEconomicPolicy:
Razakstartedallthisonlythosewhosupport
UMNOgetanything.3
TunkuAbdulRahmanalsolamentedaboutthe
inequalitiesandimmediatebacklashoftheNew
EconomicPolicy:
Anattemptwasmadetollthe(30%)target
withoutthoughtfortheabilityandthecapability
ofattainingit.WhenIadvisedagainstitthey
condemnedmeasatraitorandtheywerehelped
unfortunatelybysomeseniormembersoftheparty.
TheygainedthedayandIlefttheGovernment
soonafter.Somebecamerichovernightwhile
othersbecamedespicableAliBabasandthe
countrysufferedeconomicset-backsandarelapse
welivetoregrettothisday.
Ouradministrationwasgoingsmoothly,our
economywasviable,ourringgitwasgood.
1 Speech at UMNO general assembly, January 23 1971.
2 Saints and Cigarettes, The Star, 8 November 1982.
3 Kua Kia Soong,K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD, 2002),137. Razak here refers to the Prime Minister who succeeded TunkuAbdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak.
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Thentherewasasuddenattemptbythe
Governmentafter1970toforceeconomicreforms
towhichIreferredearlier.Thisjoltedeverycautious
men,everybusinessmananditgaverisetofeelings
ofuncertainty,thenpanic.Capitalbegantoleavethe
country;inationreareditsuglyheadandbecame
theorderoftheday.Ahousewhichcost$15,000
wassuddenlyinatedskyhigh.Sincethenwehave
beenlivinginfearofwhatstocome.1
ItisclearthattheTunkuwascommittedtofree
markets.Insteadoftakingtheeasyrouteof
supportingpopulistwelfaremeasuresforMalays,he
prioritisedeconomicgrowthandstabilitythathe
believedwouldbeguaranteedbyanopenandfree
economy.Hecontinuedtoarguethiseventhoughit
mayhavecosthimsignicantpoliticalsupport.His
ideologicalunderpinningsarefurtherexhibitedbyhis
passionateloathingofthecommandeconomythat
acommunistsystemasystemhespenthisentire
premiershipghtingwouldhavebrought.
1 Time to Put Our house in Order, The Star, 26 May 1986
The trade recession
caused by the high cost
of production may cause
economic problems and
this will be more harmful and
destructive to human society
than all the harmful effects
of cigarettes and drinks put
together.
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Individual liberty
Societyisacollectionofindividualspursuingdifferent
purposesoflife.Asthemostbasicunitofsociety,
individualsassociatethemselveswitheachotherand
formgroupsoranymanifestationofsuchorganised
collectives.Conversely,theyarealsofreeto
dissociatethemselvesfromthesegroups.Individuals
shouldnotbeforcedtoremainwithinagroup,or
worse,forcedtoabidebythewillofthegroup.
Individualscanmakechoicesandbeheldresponsible
fortheiractions.Whilemakingchoices,each
individualmustrespectthedignityofanother
individualregardlessofethnicity,religionorgender.
Thismeansrespectingthedifferencesbetween
peopleandnottryingtoimposeuniformity.Toquote
FriedrichHayek,the1974EconomicsNobelPrize
winner:Asocietythatdoesnotrecognisethateach
individualhasvaluesofhisownwhichheisentitledtofollowcanhavenorespectforthedignityofthe
individualandcannotreallyknowfreedom.
Mostimportantly,theconceptofindividualliberty
demandsthatthegovernmentmustnotencroach
intowhatisprivatetotheindividuals.Aslongas
theactionsofanindividualdonotharmothers,
governmentmustnotinterfere.Individualshavetheir
rightstobesecureintheirlife,libertyandproperty.
Theserightsarenotgrantedbygovernmentorby
society;theyareinherentinthenatureofhuman
beings.DavidBoazoftheCatoInstitutefurther
arguesthatitisintuitivelyrightthatindividualsenjoy
thesecurityofsuchrights;theburdenofexplanation
shouldliewiththosewhowouldtakerightsaway. 1
Imposinguniformitywouldbetantamountto
suppressingindividualrightsandfreedom.During
theColdWarsuchimpositionswereassociatedwith
communism.Beingthestaunchanti-communist,Tunku
AbdulRahmaninsteadsubscribedtotheconceptof
individuallibertythatpeoplehavethepowerto
decideeverything,includingtheformofgovernment
theylike.Consequently,thepeopleofMalaysiaunder
Tunkusleadershipafrmedtheircommitmentto
freedombynotchoosingacommunistgovernment:
Forinstance,inMalaysiaitisunthinkablethat
thepeopleherewouldpreferaregimentedlife;
naturallytheywouldneveracceptanypolicythat
wouldrestricttheirrighttochoosetheformof
Governmenttheylikeorfollowawayoflifeto
whichtheyarenotaccustomed.2
OneofthemostillustrativeanecdotesofTunku
AbdulRahmansphilosophyoffreedomisbrilliantly
demonstratedwhenhevisitedWestGermanyin
1960.TunkuAbdulRahmanwaspresentedwitha
replicaoftheFreedomBellbyWillyBrandt,the
mayorofWestBerlin.Thebellwasareplicaofthe
bellwhichrangdailyinBerlintoremindthemthe
valueoftheirfreedom.Inhisappreciationspeechon
1 David Boaz, Key Concepts of Libertarianism. Available online athttp://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5758 (Accessed on Janu-ary 2, 2011)
2 The Kishi Scare: I Prayed Hard for The Safety of Our ImportantGuest, The Star, 5 May 1975
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receivingthebell,TunkuAbdulRahmanthankedthe
mayorforthePeaceBell.Whendignitariestriedto
correcthim,TunkuAbdulRahmancalmlysaid:
Youcanthavepeacewithoutfreedom,andyou
canthavefreedomwithoutpeace.1
AsourBapa Merdeka,TunkuAbdulRahmanbelieved
thatourindependencecouldnothavebeenpossible
withouttheRulersplayingtheirroles.Assuch,post-
independence,TunkuAbdulRahmanlookedatthe
Rulersasanimportantinstitutiontosafeguardour
individualliberty:
Wehaveworkedtogether,andwiththeRulers,have
foughtforandwonindependenceforMalaya.Now
weareabletowalkwithourheadsup,andacclaim
ourselvesafreeandindependentpeople.2
Forus,Malaysians,thethronehasbeenlookedupon
asaguaranteeofourfreedom.Freedomtoworship,
freedomtosocialize,andfreedomtopracticeour
politicalrights.3
Afterindependence,TunkuAbdulRahmanexpanded
ourindividuallibertythroughguaranteeingthemin
ourConstitution.Nonetheless,justaseachindividual
hasthefreedomtochoosehowtheylivetheirlives,
individualsalsohavepersonalresponsibilitytoact
onlywithinthelaw:
Ourconstitutionalsoprovidedforreligiousand
socialfreedomforall,andthisfreedomwehaveall
enjoyedforalltheseyears.4
Tofreethepeopleoftheworld,welooktowards
naturaljusticetoprovideuswithprotectionandto
giveusfreedomtodocertainthingswithinthelaw,
notoutsideofthelawbecausetherearesomany
penalcodes,lawsthattellyouwhereyougowrong,
whatisrightandwhatiswrong.Ifyougoandpinch
somebodysmoney,youknowyouaredoingwrong.
Ifyougoandcracksomebodyshead,youknowthatyouaredoingwrongbutallthatiswithincommon
knowledgeofallmenandsoitiswithinthatruleof
lawthatyoucandoanythingyoulike.Butofcourse
incountrieswhichwecalldemocraticcountrieslike
ours,peoplearesupposedtobefreetofollowtheir
wayoflife,tofollowtheirreligion,customs,habits
andtraditions.5
Yearsafterhispremiership,TunkuAbdulRahmanlamentedwhatheperceivedasthedeteriorationof
individualliberty.Inparticular,TunkuAbdulRahman
feltthatpoliticsandthenarrowviewofreligionwere
themainculpritsbehindthis:
Intheolddayspeopleneverbotheredaboutwhat
othersdid,solongastheywerefreetodowhat
theylikedthemselves.Todayonecannotsneeze
withoutbeingcorrected,letaloneenjoyoneself.
Thatswhatpoliticshavedonetooursociety.6
1 Merdeka Memoirs: No Peace Without Freedom, No Freedom WithoutPeace,New Straits Times, 11 August 2007
2 The Role of the King, The Star, 13 February 1984
3 Silver Jubilee of the Kedah Sultan, The Star, 18 July 1983
4 Peace for All Time, The Star, 9 April 1984
5 Kua Kia Soong,K. Das & The Tunku Tapes. (Malaysia: SIRD, 2002),135
6 Kedahs Wise Regent: Bringing Up State Under Colonial Rule, TheStar, 1 December 1975
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Theworldhaschangedverymuchsinceadultery
waspunishablewithdeathbystoning.Inthis
promiscuousandpermissivesocietypeoplearefree
togoanddoastheylike.1
Thelastsentenceofthequoteaboveisagood
exampleofTunkuAbdulRahmanbeingafun-loving
gentleman.Infact,heevenoncesaid:
Whatisthepointoflivingwhenyoudontdrink,
youdontsmoke,andyoudontevenenjoythe
companyofthefairsex?2
Yetdespitehisjovialnature,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas
alsoahumbleMuslimwithstrongcommitmentto
Islam.Duringhispremiership,hefoundedtheMuslim
WelfareOrganisationMalaysia(Pertubuhan Kebajikan
Islam Malaysia, PERKIM),anorganisationdedicated
towardshelpingnewMuslimsadjusttotheirnew
life.Aftersteppingdown,TunkuAbdulRahman
wastaskedtoleadtheOrganisationofIslamic
Conference(OIC)astheirrstSecretary-General.
HewasclearlyarespectedgureamongMuslims
internationally.
WhenaskedtohelmtheOIC,TunkuAbdulRahman
wasinitiallysurprisedbytheofferashedidnot
considerhimselfapiousMuslim.TunkuAbdul
Rahmanshumilityallowedhimtoacknowledgetohis
shortcomings,andthiswasthequalitywhichmade
himspecial.Unlikemanytoday,TunkuAbdulRahman
neverabusedhisIslamiccredentialstoportrayan
imageofinfallibility.
Indeed,TunkuAbdulRahmanwasneveroneto
claimthehighhorseofreligion.Whiledebatingthen
oppositionleaderTanCheeKhooninaParliament
session,TunkuAbdulRahmanparaphrasedthefamous
quote:
Letanyoneamongstuswhoiswithoutsin,standup
andcasttherststone.3
Whentheoppositionleaderwastheonlyonewho
stoodandremainedstanding,TunkuAbdulRahman,
beingthefunpersonthathewas,calmlyretorted:
DavidTanCheeKhoon,Ireallypityyou.4
Theincreasinglynarrowviewofreligionwasamatter
ofparticularconcerntoTunkuAbdulRahman.Worse
wastheattitudeofsanctimoniouspeople,particularly
politicians,whenitcametoreligion.Tothis,Tunku
AbdulRahmanhadthistosay:
Offencesaretakingplaceeveryday,withpeople
inhighplacesandlowsocietybeingequallyself-
indulgent.Willthoseinhighsocietybechargedwith
theseoffences,orwillcaningbeconnedonlyto
thoseinlowsociety?
Itisnousepretendingthatwedontknowwhatis
takingplaceinhighsociety.Manyvisitnightclubs,
messesandotherplacesofamusement.Wesee
1 Khalwat, Viewpoints, 183
2 Kedahs Wise Regent: Bringing Up State Under Colonial Rule, TheStar, 1 December 1975
3 Memorable MPs, The Sunday Star, 8 April 2007
4 ibid.
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themdrivingincarswiththoseoftheoppositesex
tolonelyspotsforquietmomentsawayfromthe
pryingeyesofthepublic.1
Wehavekilljoysamongourbuddingpoliticians
whoarestillinexperiencedandthosefrompolitical
partieswhoaretryingtomakeacomeback.They
talkgliblyofcreatingaheavenlykingdom,anation
inhabitedbysaintsonly.Whenthathappens,ifever,
Icantellthemthattherewontbeaplaceforthem
either.2
Hence,whenhearingthatthestudentsandstaff
oftheNationalUniversityofMalaysia(Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM) wereprotestingagainst
theentertainerSudirmanandhistroupeperforming
intheuniversitysfundraisingshowonthegrounds
thattheshowisun-Islamicandwouldgivethe
universityabadimage,TunkuAbdulRahmanwas
furious:
Toputtherecordstraight,wedidnotget
independenceforthistypeofpeoplewhocannot
ndanythingrightinanythingweorothersdofor
theypreferprimitiveexistencetocivilizedlife.They
arewastingtheirtimeattheuniversity.ThisisallI
cansayaboutthem.3
TunkuAbdulRahmanwassteadfasttohis
commitmenttofreedomtilltheend.Freedomisabalancebetweenindividuallibertyandpersonal
responsibilityinaccordancewiththeruleoflaw,all
undertheoverarchingumbrellaoftheConstitution.
TunkuAbdulRahmansumsthisupnicelywhenhe
said:
Whateverfaultstheremaybeinoursystemof
government,therearefaultsinallsystemssuch
isthenatureofmen.Here,however,wearefree
topursueourwayoflifeandreligionwithout
hindrance,andaslongaswecankeepwithinthe
boundariesofproprietyandthelaw,weareableto
eatandsleepandinsecurity.Andallthisunderthe
conceptofConstitutionalMonarchy,ofwhichwe
shouldberightlyproud,asitisuniqueintheworld.4
1 Of Law and Faith, The Star, 8 May 1978
2 Saints and cigarettes, The Star, 8 November 1982
3 There Is Not Room For Fanaticism, The Star, 14 January 1985
4 Malaysias Monarch: Democratic Symbol and Basis For StableGovernment, The Star, 6 July 1975
The increasingly narrow viewof religion was a matter of
particular concern to Tunku
Abdul Rahman. Worse was
the attitude of sanctimonious
people, particularly politicians,
when it came to religion.
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Conclusion
Afterexaminingtheavailableliterature,Indit
undeniablethatTunkuAbdulRahmandidindeed
subscribetotheprinciplesofclassicalliberalism.
TunkuAbdulRahmanafrmedhisbeliefstothe
principlesoftheruleoflaw,limitedgovernment,
freemarketandindividuallibertycountlesstimes
throughouthiswritings,hisspeeches,hisinterviews
andperhapsmostimportantly,hisactions.
InTunkuAbdulRahmanwehadaman,aleader,
astatesmanwhoremainedsteadfastinhis
commitmenttotheseprinciples,evenwhentheywereusedagainsthim.
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Bibliography
AllreferencestospeechesmadebyTunkuAbdul
RahmancanbefoundintheTunkuAbdulRahman
Memorialscollection.
The Malay Mail(Malaysia)1955-2010.
New Straits Times (Malaysia)1955-2010.
The Star(Malaysia)1955-2010.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.As A Matter of Interest. Kuala
Lumpur:Heinemann,1981.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Challenging Times.KualaLumpur:
PelandukPublications,1986.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Contemporary Issues in Malaysian
Politics.KualaLumpur:PelandukPublications,
1984.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Lest We Forget.Malaysia:Eastern
UniversitiesPress,1983.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Looking Back.KualaLumpur:
PustakaAntara,1977.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.May 13: Before and After.Kuala
Lumpur:UtusanMelayuPress,1969.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Political Awakening.KualaLumpur:
PelandukPublications,1986.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Something to Remember.Singapore:EasternUniversitiesPress,1983.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Viewpoints.KualaLumpur:
Heinemann,1978.
AbdulRahman,Tunku.Malaysia: Road to Independence.
KualaLumpur:PelandukPublications,1984.
Boaz,David.KeyConceptsofLibertarianism.Available
onlinefromhttp://www.cato.org/pub_display.
php?pub_id=5758(AccessedonJanuary2,2011)
Foong,James.LateBloomerWithGreatTiming,11June2008.Availableonlinefromhttp://aliran.
com/764.html(AccessedonJanuary3,2011)
Jomo,K.S..EconomicPlanningInGrowth and structural
changes in the Malaysian Economy.Hampshire:
Macmillan,1990.
Kua,KiaSoong.K. Das & The Tunku Tapes.Malaysia:SIRD,
2002.
Morais,Victor.Selected Speeches. PetalingJaya:
PerchetakanTenggaraatMalayanPrinters,1967.
Shome,AnthonyS.K..TunkuAbdulRahman(1957-
1970):TransitiontoModernizationInMalay
political Leadership.London:Routledge,2009.
Tunku: In His Words.Malaysia:NSTPResourceCentre,
2009.
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The Institute for Democracy and
Economic Affairs (IDEAS) is inspired
by the vision of Tunku Abdul Rahman
Putra al-Haj, the irst Prime Minister of
Malaysia. We share his vision as stated in
the 1957 Proclamation of Independence
that this nation should:
be for ever a sovereign democratic and
independent State founded upon the
principles of liberty and justice and ever
seeking the welfare and happiness of
its people and the maintenance of a just
peace among all nations
IDEAS is Malaysias irst think-tank
dedicated to promoting market-based
solutions to public policy challenges. We
were oficially launched on 8 February
2010, in conjunction with Almarhum
Tunku Abdul Rahmans 107th birthday,
by YBM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah at
Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra,
Kuala Lumpur, in an event graced by
three generations of Almarhum Tunkus
family members.
IDEAS is an independent not-for-proit
organisation. As a cross-partisan thinktank, we work across the political
spectrum. Our purpose is to advance
market-based principles, and we are not
bound by party politics, race or religion.
Our mission is to improve the level of
understanding and acceptance of public
policies based on the principles of rule
of law, limited government, free marketsand free individuals.
We achieve this mission through:
Research
Publication of reports and books
Seminars, discussions and short
courses
Brieings for federal and state
politicians and policy-makers
from across the political divide
Media engagements
IDEAS commitment to quality has
received international recognition. On
18 January 2011, IDEAS was ranked as
the 18th best new think tank globally
and second best new think tank in Asia
in a survey of 6,480 think tanks in 169
countries by University of Pennsylvaniaand United Nations University.
More information can be found on
www.IDEAS.org.my