GEORGE TOWN, Aug 17 — Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra was a man of extraordinary talent not only in the political arena but also in the kitchen, where he could cook up a storm.
The first prime minister’s son, Suleiman, said his father often cooked for the family and friends when he had time to spare.
“He would go to Cold Storage to buy ingredients and spend time preparing the meals,” said Suleiman, the communications director at the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa here, who remembers the meals well.
“It was his way of sharing precious moments with family and friends.”
Suleiman cannot forget the tasty food, especially the kari ikan senangin, that the fomer prime minister, who loved spicy food, looked forward to.
“He loved politics, the people and food,” he said.
Sulaiman remembers his father as a warm-hearted, friendly and humble person who listened to others before making decisions.
“My brother Tunku Ahmad Nerang most resembles our father in terms of appearance, habits and gait,” he said, adding that Tunku advised his children to always stand up for their principles.
“We were advised to help others, treat people equally and be honest and sincere in all things we did,” he said.
Suleiman said Tunku loved to relax and unwind and played golf besides the occasional card games with close friends.
“He liked horses and enjoyed horse-racing,” he said.
Tunku also never forgot to spend quality time with his family.
Suleiman remembers the family going on holidays to Penang, Port Dickson, Fraser’s Hill, Gunung Jerai and Genting Highlands as “this reminded him (Tunku) of the cool weather back in England during his university days”.
He said his father was a treasure trove of information gained from his numerous meetings with world and local leaders.
“He never wanted anything more than a united Malaysia where people of all races and religions lived together in peace and harmony,” he said.
