Tengku Abdul Rahman and Malaysia’s foreign policy, 1963-1970

About the author:

Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad was Special Envoy to the United Nations between 1996–2000, the second man to hold the unique position since Malaysia’s independence. Born in Kelantan on 4 July 1937, he studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Cambridge and Harvard.

As a young reporter in The Straits Times between 1957–60, his talent was spotted by Tun Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Rural Development. Abdullah was sent to the United States and on his return in 1962, Tun Razak brought him into his inner circle until his death on 14 January 1976.

He was a former Member of Parliament (Deputy Minister), a member of the Umno Supreme Council, a corporate figure and Special Envoy to the United Nations in New York. He was also detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) from 2 November 1976 to 30 July 1981. Tan Sri Abdullah was the Group Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad until he was sacked on 20 November 2003.