COMMENT | Successive prime ministers have, since Merdeka, played a major role in the making of the nation’s foreign policy and raising its international profile.

Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaya and Malaysia’s first prime minister, was instrumental in shaping the direction of our international relations, carving an independent path for the newly independent, sovereign nation.

Tunku refused to join SEATO (the Alliance created by the US to confront Cold War paranoia and Communism) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

He supported India in the Sino-Indian conflict in 1962. He bravely led the newly born Malaysia in its fight against the Indonesian Confrontation from 1963 to 1966.

Finally, Tunku, unlike many of our neighbours, refused to support the US in the Vietnam War.

Tunku steered the ship of state in dangerous, uncharted waters with confidence. Our national interest was always defended with all our might.