Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul RahmanGCB (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 the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia), from 1994 to 1999.
Early life and education
Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman at the age of 6 months, January 1923.
Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was born on 19 July 1922 in Klang, Selangor to Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad and his wife Che Engku Maimunah binti Abdullah and was raised in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. His mother was of mixed Irish and Anglo-Indian descent.[1][2][3]
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 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 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 (MCKK). Sports were a compulsory subject at MCKK. Tuanku Ja'afar was good at several sports and was made the captain of the cricket, tennis, squash, football and hockey teams. On top of that, Tuanku Ja'afar was also a skilled badminton and chess player. It was at MCKK that he became close with Abdul Razak Hussein, who would become the second Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Tunaku Ja'afar along with Badminton Association at the University of Nottingham.
In 1940, after graduating from MCKK, Tuanku Ja'afar furthered his studies at Raffles College, Singapore. At the time, Raffles College was a popular higher education institution in Southeast Asia. Tuanku Ja'afar had favoured sports over studies. As a keen tennis player, he would always play with Lee Kuan Yew, who became the first Prime Minister of Singapore. Tuanku Ja'afar, who was supposed to complete the three-year programme, had to return to Malaya due to the start of World War II in December 1941.
Early career
State Officer
During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, he worked at the Seremban Land Office, Rembau and also Kuala Lumpur. Then, in the late 1940s, he was transferred to the Perak State Secretariat in Ipoh and was in charge of processing citizenship applications.
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. Tuanku Ja'afar was then promoted as the District Officer in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan until 1955 and supported an anti-communist campaign. At this time he was also the Chairman of the Tampin District War Committee. At this time he decided that he wanted to further his studies in law.
He spent four years at University of Nottingham and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1947 before attending Balliol College, Oxford and the London School of Economics. This decision was driven by his interest in the subject of humanitarian, social and economic sciences. Tuanku Ja'afar was accompanied by Tuanku Najihah and their children. While at university, he continued playing 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.
Diplomat
Tuanku Ja'afar with family while in Egypt, the United Arab Republic in 1963, when he served as ambassador to Cairo, Egypt.Tuanku Ja'afar and his wife Tuanku Najihah in an event at their home in Lagos, Nigeria in 1965, when he served as an Ambassador.
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 in London, the independence entourage led by Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived. Their purpose was to negotiate with the officers from the British Colonial Office at Lancaster House, London to obtain independence. Tuanku Ja'afar assisted with the logistics, proposal papers and presentations. The entourage succeeded in achieving its goal when the British eventually consented to give independence to the Federation of Malaya. This news was greeted with great joy and an official ceremony was then held at the Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on 31 August 1957. His first appointment was as Charge d' Affaires in Embassy of Malaysia, Washington, D.C., followed by First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaysia, London. Tuanku Ja'afar was later appointed as the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt and then as High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana.
42 years as the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Tuanku Ja'afar was to leave for Japan to serve as the Malaysian Ambassador to Japan but was recalled by the State Government of Negeri Sembilan in 1967 following the death of his half brother Tuanku Munawir who had been the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.[citation needed]
In line with the royal customs of Negeri Sembilan, before proceeding with the burial ceremony of Tuanku Munawir, a new ruler had to be selected to succeed the late Yang di-Pertuan Besar. As such the four Undang (Ruling Chiefs of Negeri Sembilan) conferred to choose the late Tuanku Munawir's successor.
The selection of Tuanku Munawir's successor had to be made from four eligible princes, or Putera Yang Empat, in order:
The Undang Yang Empat unanimously decided on Tuanku Ja'afar, who was 44 years old at the time, to accede to the throne as the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. This proclamation was made by Dato' Undang Luak Jelebu, Dato' Abu Bakar bin Ma'amor, at Balairung Seri Istana Besar Seri Menanti. Tuanku Ja'afar ascended the throne as the 10th Ruler of Negeri Sembilan on 18 April 1967.
10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
Photo of the royal family after Tuanku Ja'afar was installed as the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan in 1968.
Tuanku Ja'afar was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 succeeding Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak. On 26 April 1994, two months after he was chosen as the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Ja'afar left the Istana Besar Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, for the Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur for the Installation Ceremony held at Balairung Seri Istana Negara. This auspicious event was witnessed by all Malay Rulers or their representatives. As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Ja'afar played a significant role in fostering ties between Malaysia and other countries.
Tuanku Ja'afar Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and his wife Tuanku Najiha Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.
During his reign as the ruler of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja'afar focused his attention on the problems of the people and the administration of the state. In handling the socio-economic affairs of the state, Tuanku Ja'afar directed his attention to the industry and public housing sectors so as to improve the living standard of the people. As a result, several new housing areas were developed among which is Taman Tuanku Ja'afar which includes an industrial area and a golf course of international standard, Taman Tuanku Ampuan Najihah in Sungai Gadut and the Mambau housing project. The construction of these housing areas improved the people's chances of owning their own property. This enabled them to enjoy a better standard of comfort. The expansion of the industrial sector paved way for more job opportunities for his subjects, thus improving their standard of living and also eradicating poverty amongst the people of Negeri Sembilan. He also endorsed the setting up of various recreational facilities to encourage families to spend time outdoors.
During Tuanku Ja'afar's chancellorship, UKM achieved significant milestones such as:
The appointment as a research university.
The establishment of Malaysia Genome Institute and Institute of Global Health, United Nations University.
Listed in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) and secured the highest position in 2006 compared to other universities in Malaysia.
Recipient of the Prime Minister's Award in 2006.
Hobbies
Tuanku Ja'afar had a passion for sports, especially golf and cricket. He was a painter.
A calm and tranquil village scenery, drawn on 4 April 1993 by Tuanku Ja'afar.
Death
Tuanku Ja'afar died on 27 December 2008 at Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar, Seremban from a stroke. He was 86 years old.[4] His younger brother, Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah had died four months earlier. Before Tuanku Ja'afar's death, he was admitted to the hospital after feeling dizzy. He was buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum at Seri Menanti on 29 December 2008. Notably, his funeral was attended by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.[5]
Honours
Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Signals Regiment
The Royal Signals Regiment (RSD) is a combat support regiment in the Malaysian Army. Its main role is to establish and secure communication facilities for the command and tactical elements of the Malaysian Army. This Regiment is also involved in providing electronic warfare support and securing all communication channels amongst formation quarters and tactical teams. As the Colonel-in-Chief for RSD, Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman often participated in RSD-organised programs such as visits to military camps, sporting events such as the shooting competitions frequently held at shooting ranges.
Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps
"The existence of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps for over 50 decades would not be possible without the sacrifice and service of our previous and current soldiers. In this perilous journey so full of trials and tribulations, our fallen warriors are the national heroes who wished to see KJLJD excel not only on the national front but also in the international scene" ~ Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps, Tuanku Ja’afar.[citation needed] The initial role of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps is to provide technical support such as the maintenance of many military equipment owned by the Malaysian Army. The Corps have now expanded to accommodate many more services.
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tuanku Ja'afar also held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The Tuanku Ja'afar Royal Gallery located nearby to Taman Tasik Seremban, is a building with an area of approximately 44,000 square feet that houses a gallery which was developed to revive the memories of Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The Gallery was the brainchild of the Late ruler who wanted to build a gallery that portrayed the uniqueness of Negeri Sembilan's roots, the past royal rulers of Negeri Sembilan and his life journey. The Royal exhibition highlighted the exclusivity of the concept of 'Biographical Journey of Tuanku Ja'afar' with eight consecutive exhibition chambers.
Recognition
Many places and landmarks were named after him. These are:
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