A childhood between nations
FOREIGN policy is usually written as the history of governments. We remember communiqués, treaties, summits and the men and women who negotiated them.
A childhood between nations
Foreign policy is often framed as the history of governments, with communique exchanges, treaties, summits and the notable individuals who negotiated them. However, the stories of families who traveled with diplomats have received far less attention. I was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, into a Malaysian diplomatic household during Malaysia's formative years.
As an infant, I experienced the religious rituals of Jeddah while also becoming familiar with Malaysia's growing international presence. My father, Tunku Abdul Rahman, later became the first secretary-general of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and was involved in the establishment of the Islamic Development Bank.
Growing up, my memories were more of a curious and energetic boy who sometimes fell asleep during family gatherings, rather than witnessing grand diplomatic events. However, my father noticed this habit and playfully teased another diplomat about providing "sleeping medicine." This small memory, filled with warmth and humor, offers a glimpse into the unique family life of foreign diplomats.
After Jeddah, our diplomatic journey brought us to Jakarta, where Malaysia's second posting involved serving as a member of the Asean Secretariat. This experience provided a closer look at the political landscape of Southeast Asia, as Malaysia worked to establish a regional order among newly independent nations. My father served under two Asean secretaries-general, fostering relationships with both.
In Jakarta, I had the opportunity to learn from an elderly Indonesian physician who had been a personal physician to President Sukarno. He spoke about Indonesia's struggles for independence and the role of doctors in the nationalist movement. These conversations provided a unique perspective on the country's history, making me realize that I was listening to someone whose life had intersected with the creation of the Indonesian nation.
Both Jeddah and Jakarta were educational experiences that went beyond the formal diplomatic lessons. As a child, I learned that countries have distinct characteristics when viewed from outside their borders, and that those from other nations are not abstract entities, but rather neighbors and friends. I also discovered that being Malaysian does not mean being isolated from the world, but rather embracing a perspective that is enriched by exposure to other societies.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
