Tunku and PERKIM

His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj is not only called ‘Father of Independence’, ‘Father of Malaysia’, but also called ‘Father of PERKIM’.

‘PERKIM’ – the ‘Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organization’ – was established at the Tunku’s official home – the Prime Minister’s home in Kuala Lumpur on 19 August 1960. On that day, the Tunku held a meeting with several interested Muslims, with the aim of establishing a body which will try to develop Islam in the Malay Peninsula (Malaya).

On that day, YTM Tunku thought that although their main purpose was to convey the call of Islam to those who have not yet become non-Muslims from all races in Malaya, especially from among the Chinese. The chosen name is Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islamic Malaya – ‘PERKIM’ for short. A few years later when the nation of Malaysia was born, the word Malaya was changed to Malaysia.

Those present at the meeting, apart from YTM Tunku, were Tuan S.O.K Ubaidulla, Tuan Haji Mohamed Ali Taib, Ustaz Nik Mahyudin Musa, Tuan Haji Ally Maricar, Tuan Sheikh Ahmad, Tuan Haji Ahmad Damanhuri, Tuan Syed Jaafar Albar, Tuan Haji Ali Raya, Tuan Wan Kadir and Tuan Haji Abdul Mubin Sheppard. That same evening, YTM Tunku handed over a check worth twenty thousand ringgit as a launch contribution.

Before the meeting ended, YTM Tunku announced that he would submit a report on this organization (PERKIM) to the Sultans, and ask for support from the respective state governments. So as promised, YTM Tunku brought the report on the establishment of PERKIM to the Councils of Kings and received the blessing of the Royal Highnesses and the state governments.

Even though YTM Tunku was always busy with the Prime Minister’s duties and trips abroad, YTM Tunku always paid close attention to PERKIM’s journey and helps him when necessary.

Among the problems faced by PERKIM from the beginning was the lack of Chinese Muslims in Malaya who were qualified to work as teachers or missionaries and who could convey the call to the Chinese people. (Mr. Haji Ibrahim T.Y. Ma, former Chinese consul in Malaya before the Second World War) still lived in Singapore and was only invited to come to Kuala Lumpur and contribute his ideas to PERKIM about once every three months.

The Working Committee decided to invite some Chinese Muslim figures from Taiwan. YTM Tunku gave special instructions so that extraordinary entry permission is given to qualified people. Even though this permission was given, the Working Committee experienced difficulty in choosing qualified Chinese Muslim figures because they only understood Chinese and could not communicate and negotiate with Committee members or government officials.

This problem continued to hinder PERKIM’s efforts and about a year later, the Committee decided to hold a Missionary Training Center where Malays would learn Chinese while learning Islam and how to convey it to the public.

At the beginning of 1962, YTM Tunku paid attention to the problems of Muslims living in Sarawak who were not accomodated by the British Government there. YTM Tunku agreed for PERKIM to provide assistance to the Sarawak Islamic Association.

With the examples of hospitality and help that have been briefly recorded, it is clear that YTM Tunku, although very busy with various other responsibilities, had given support to PERKIM which was launched in his house.

With the efforts of YTM Tunku, the name Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (PERKIM) is known as an Islamic organization that has a wide influence in Islamic countries and is a member of the World Islamic Conference.

The body is based in Beirut and the Grand Mufti of Palestine, Syed Amin Al-Husaini its President. So two representatives of PERKIM were invited to attend the Muktamar meeting in Baghdad in 1962 and the Secretary General of that body visited Kuala Lumpur and was entertained by PERKIM.

As a result of the visit, with the approval of YTM Tunku, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the venue for the conference of Muslim representatives from nineteen countries in Southeast Asia. The conference was held at Dewana Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur and was officiated by YTM Tunku on 28 January 1964.

The task of preparing and administering this conference was left to the PERKIM working committee. Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia was appointed as Chairman of the Council. The Grand Mufti of Palestine was taken by PERKIM representatives to visit several places where PERKIM conducted its activities, including Missionary Training Center and Islamic Center, Klang.

PERKIM’s plan to establish an Islamic Center in Kuala Lumpur was always supported by YTM Tunku. The main problem was finding capital for its construction, but YTM Tunku provided assistance in several ways. YTM Tunku asked billionaire Runme Shaw in Singapore to donate PERKIM the proceeds of the premiere of the film titled “Lawrence of Arabia” in Kuala Lumpur, on condition that the proceeds from the screening be used for the construction fund. The revenue from the collection amounted to RM 26,000.00 from one screening.

The problem of providing training to young missionaries was given attention by YTM Tunku by renting a house at Batu 4, Jalan Ampang for that purpose.

With YTM Tunku in the position of Yang Dipertua, various plans were revived, especially the plan to build the PERKIM Headquarters on a piece of land in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur which was given by the Menteri Besar of Selangor at the request of YTM Tunku.

“PERKIM is an organisation that embodies Islamic values in helping those who are less fortunate regardless of their race, colour, and ethnicity. We give support and guidance, as well as spreading teachings of Islam and attracting more people to see the beauty of the religion. Henceforth, this organisation is called Muslim Welfare Organisation of Malaysia (PERKIM)”

Excerpts from HRH Tunku Abdul Rahman at PERKIM 1984 General Meeting