Tunku Abdullah

His father was Tuanku Abdul Rahman (1895-1960), the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan state (1933-1960) and later appointed at the first King of Malaya (1957-1960).

His mother was Che Engku Maimuna née Dulcibella (Dulcie) Campbell, a nurse at the Government Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

Tan Sri Tunku Abdullah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (2 May 1925 – 20 August 2008) was a notable Malaysian businessman and a founder of the Melewar Group Berhad of companies.

Tunku Abdullah was born on 2 May 1925 at Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

With the surrender of Japan in September 1945, Tunku Abdullah became Public Relations Officer for U.S. Sixth Army HQ in Kyoto.

On 15 December 1945, he returned by ship to Singapore.

He had completed his graduation from the University of Glasgow and held a diploma in agriculture from Miyazaki University in Japan.

Tunku was in the civil service and served for 10 years before getting into politics.

Encouraged by Mubin Sheppard, Tunku Abdullah also joined the Malayan Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC) in 1954 as Honorary Secretary and later became President [1956-1971]; culminating in the completion of Wisma Belia building (on Jalan Syed Putra).

Tunku Abdullah joined the civil service in many capacities: As Malay Officer to Kuala Lumpur Land & District Office (1955); as Assistant District Officer II in Kuala Selangor (1956); as Deputy Superintendent of Census (1956) for the Federal Secretariat; as Assistant State Secretary (1958) in Kuantan, later as District Officer (1960); as District Officer to Ulu Selangor (1961); as Assistant Secretary (1962) to Ministry of Works, Post and Telecommunications; leaving in 1963.

In April 1958, Tunku Abdullah arrived in Hawaii as a guest of the State Department of the United States.

During this visit, he became good friends with Fuad Donald Stephens of {then} North Borneo {now, Sabah}.

For the youth movement, he led many international delegations, missions & seminars: To Japan (1959, 66 & 77); New Delhi (1961); Cairo (1962); Amherst, USA (1964); New Zealand (1965); Netherlands (1967); Vienna (1968); Liege, Belgium (1969); Brussels (1970 & 71); Manchester (1972); and Colombo (1976).

Tunku Abdullah was appointed to the state royal-rank of Tunku Panglima Besar in 1963.

He was fondly known as "Charlie", as he was a fan of pianist Charlie Kunz.

During the World War II Japanese occupation of Malaya, each of the Malay royal families were required to send an heir to Japan for training to become part of the empire.

Tunku Abdullah was 18 years of age when he arrived in Japan in a group with the other Malay royal heirs.

When he was 20 years old, he witnessed the flash of light in the sky from the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

In his book Melewar Turns Silver 1963-1988, the Melewar companies mentioned are; Binaan Nasional S/B [1963, construction], Duncan, Gilbey & Matheson [1964, drink industry], Pacific World Travel [1964, travel & tours], Mitra Malaysia [1970, travel agency], Melewar Trading [1974, defence equipment], Pacific Asia Leasing [1974, finance lease & hire purchase], Melewar Clarkson [1975, insurance brokers], Melewar Transport [1975, transport & logistics], M&C Saatchi Malaysia S/B [1976, advertising], Melewar Corporation [1981, investment company], Kompusat [1982, computer retail], Accent Technology [1982, computer assembly], Nishio Lease [1982, equipment leasing], Daniel J Edelman [1984, public relations], Vita Tenggara Fruits Industries [1984, fruit farm], Central Market S/B [1985, shopping centre], Great Value Holidays S/B [1985, travel & tours], Malaysian Assurance Alliance {MAA Group} [1985, insurance], Trace Management Services S/B [1985, company secretarial], Academia S/B [1987, education] -&- Prai Malaysia Wood & Rattan Industries [1987, wood manufacture].

Under the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), he was a frequent delegate [1964-1972].

Tunku Abdullah was elected as the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia (MP) for the Rawang constituency from 1964 to 1974.

During this time, he began his long friendship with the MP seated beside him, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He is the subject of the books Tunku Abdullah – A Passion for Life and the 20th anniversary version, A Prince Called "Charlie".

Tunku Abdullah consolidated his business ventures into a conglomerate under the name of "Melewar" Group or Corporation.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad posted an online obituary for Tunku Abdullah, ''"Today is a sad day for me. Today I lost a very good friend. Tunku Abdullah was a member of Parliament in 1964 when I first met him. He was a gregarious person and it was easy to become his friend even after knowing him only a short while. He was a very loyal friend too. When I was expelled from UMNO in 1969 he did not stay away from me as many people did. When I came to Kuala Lumpur three days after race riots broke out, he was at the Railway Station waiting for me with his car, despite rumors I was going to be arrested. The police were there in full force. But I was not arrested. I went off to Tunku’s house. I rejoined UMNO through his division in Rawang. But that route was not acceptable to UMNO. He was a man of the people and got on well with his constituency people. At the same time he was close to Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister and to Tun Razak.

He lived life fully.

I do not think we will find people like him any more.

He was also President of the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) [1966-1972] & President of the Asian Youth Council (AYC) [1972-1976].

Non-Melewar companies of mention are; MBf Finance Berhad [1968, financial services] -&- Granite Industries Berhad [1987, mining & manufacture]: as well as others : Central Market Japan Co., Ltd.

Beyond 1988, other Melewar companies and foundations include: MasterConsult, MetroVision, Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Melewar Industrial Group, Mycron Steel, Budimas Charitable Foundation, as well as MAA Medicare Charitable Foundation.

Tunku Abdullah also served as Chairman to several companies which include: MBf Holdings, Malayan Cement Berhad, Aokam Tin Berhad, Georgetown Holdings Berhad, Taisho Marine & Fire Insurance (M) S/B, MBf Capital Berhad, PWE Industries Berhad, Nusantara Steel S/B, Toshiba Electronics Malaysia S/B, Gentali Malaysia S/B.

Tunku Abdullah's involvement with the MBf Group was due to his close friendship with Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong.

MasterConsult marketed defence equipment to the government and was sales agent for companies like Rosoboronexport, McDonnell Douglas, ASMAR, Dassault Aviation, Aermacchi, Engesa and Dornier Flugzeugwerke.

Tunku Abdullah was particularly well known for the successful urban re-development of Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, preserving the heritage building {which had been earmarked for demolition}.

Other heritage buildings refurbished include Wisma Melewar {now, Wisma Ekran}.

He is also known for the development of Royal Langkawi Yacht Club and marina in Kuah, Langkawi.

He was married six times.

Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah died on 20 August 2008 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) clinic.

He was 83 years old.

He was buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan.