GEORGE TOWN, Aug 30 — From his days as a child, Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman was often advised by his famous father to be a responsible man and to stand up for his principles.

 “I was also advised to help others, treat everybody equally, to be honest and sincere in everything that I do.

“He also stressed on things that should be avoided,” said Suleiman when met at the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa to share memories of Bapa Kemerdekaan, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The late Tunku advised Suleiman, who is Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa communications director, “not to cheat or go against the law and not to be greedy and arrogant.”

“Indeed, this universal advice can be practised by everybody,” said Suleiman, who also said his father loved food.

“My father loved a mixture of English traditional cuisine and local dishes. He enjoyed roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.

“He particularly liked to cook during his studies in England. Local fare included fish curry, sambal belacan, ikan kering, salted fish, nasi lemak and nasi ulam,” shared Suleiman.

His younger days were fun and full of excitement as his father took all the siblings for vacations during their school breaks.

“I recall our trips to Fraser’s Hill and Genting Highlands for the fresh cool air and greenery. Back in Kedah, which is my father’s home state, we would visit Pulau Langkawi and Gunung Jerai frequently,” said Suleiman, saying even a busy man like the first prime minister needed to unwind.

His hobbies were a mix of leisurely and active activities that reflected his cosmopolitan background.

He loved a good round of golf, enjoyed swimming, boating and playing football in college and later liked to watch live football in his retirement days.

As a family man, Tunku Abdul Rahman was a caring and loving person, frequently giving advice and enjoyed being surrounded by his family.

“My father practised equality in how he treated others and as such, he was very fair in his judgement.

“He refrained from taking advantage of others. He lived by those principles,” said Suleiman.

As leader of the country, Tunku often met local and foreign dignitaries.

“He dressed simply and modestly. My father was never flamboyant when it came to clothes.

“He would opt for a comfortable batik shirt and traditional Baju Melayu when attending events.

“When required, he would don full suits for formal functions,” he said.

Suleiman said his late father’s wish was for Malaysia to remain united and that it remains a land where everyone, regardless of race and religion, can live happily, harmoniously and united as one people, under one nation.