Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad married Che Engku Maimunah binti Abdullah née Dulcibella Campbell in 1919.

The couple subsequently divorced.

They had two sons and two daughters: Tuanku Ja'afar, Tunku Abdullah, Tunku Aidah and Tunku Sheila.

Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Jawi: توانكو جعفر ابن المرحوم توانكو عبدالرحمن; 19 July 1922 – 27 December 2008) was Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from 1967 until his death in 2008, and previously the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the constitutional monarch of Malaysia, from 1994 to 1999.

Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was born on 19 July 1922 in Klang, Selangor and was raised in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan.

His mother was of mixed Irish and Anglo-Indian descent.

Growing up in an affectionate and considerate family had a profound impact on Tuanku Ja'afar's character.

He had a very close relationship with all his siblings.

He also emulated his father's practice of visiting the local villagers and performing Friday prayers at Masjid Seri Menanti with his subjects.

This childhood experience helped form Tuanku Ja'afar's extraordinary character as an approachable and highly respected individual.

Tuanku Ja'afar received his primary education at the Seri Menanti Malay School.

Tuanku Ja'afar then continued his studies at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar or better known as MCKK.

Sports were a compulsory subject at MCKK.

Thanks to his zeal and talent for sports, Tuanku Ja'afar shone in a number of sports and was made the captain for five teams which were cricket, tennis, squash, football and hockey.

On top of that, Tuanku Ja'afar was also an impressive badminton and chess player.

It was at MCKK that he became close with Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who was the second Prime Minister of Malaysia.

In 1940, after graduating from MCKK, Tuanku Ja'afar furthered his studies at Raffles College, Singapore.

At the time, Raffles College was one of the popular higher education institutions in South East Asia.

Tuanku Ja'afar had always favoured sports over studies.

As a keen tennis player, he would always play with Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore.

Then, in the late 1940s, he was transferred to the Perak State Secretariat in Ipoh and was in charge of processing citizenship applications.

Tuanku Ja'afar, who was supposed to complete the three-year programme, unfortunately had to return to Malaya due to the start of the Second World War in December 1941.

Tuanku Ja'afar's return from Singapore did not dampen his high ambitions and thirst for knowledge.

During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, he worked at the Seremban Land Office, Rembau and also Kuala Lumpur.

In 1946, Tuanku Ja'afar started working in the Malay Administrative Service.

Later in 1947, Tuanku Ja'afar was promoted to the position of Tax Assistant in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.

He spent four years at University of Nottingham and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1947 before attending Balliol College, Oxford and the LSE.

This decision is driven by his interest in the subject of humanitarian, social and economic sciences.

Tuanku Ja'afar was accompanied by Tuanku Najihah and their kids.

While at university, he continued playing his favourite sports of cricket, football and badminton.

He was also made captain of the Tennis Club and badminton.

Upon his return from the United Kingdom in 1952, Tuanku Ja'afar held several posts in the civil service of the Malaysia including Assistant State Secretary of Perak, Assistant District Officer of Parit, Perak, and District Officer of Tampin.

Tuanku Ja'afar was then promoted as the District Officer in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan until 1955 and supported anti-communist campaign.

At this time he was also the Chairman of the Tampin District War Committee.

Tuanku Ja'afar's experiences and observation during the war years had enriched him.

At this time in his life, he now had a higher goal: he wished to further his studies in law.

Tuanku Ja'afar's diplomatic career began in 1957.

Tuanku Ja'afar was chosen to attend a one-year Diplomatic Service Course in London.

While attending a one-year Diplomatic Service Course in London, the independence entourage led by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj arrived.

Their purpose was to negotiate with the officers from the British Colonial Office at Lancaster House, London to obtain independence.