Dato Onn Jaafar.

Dato Onn was a Malay aristocrat and as a result of his family's close relations with the Johor palace, he was treated like an adopted son by Sultan Ibrahim. Yet, he was also known for being outspoken against what he perceived as inconsiderate palace politics in his home state, Johor.

As a journalist, he wrote articles on the welfare of the Malays, and some that were critical of Sultan Ibrahim's policies, including one published in Sunday Mirror. He had criticised the Sultan's poor treatment of the Johor Military Forces (JMF) personnel and the welfare of the Orang Asli, also the Sultan’s marriage to English woman, Helen Bartholomew Wilson, which led to the Sultan expelling him from Johor from 1927 to 1936. 

But soon enough, Dato Onn rose to heroic status for his role in opposing the Malayan Union, organising nationwide protests, and along with his companions founded United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and becoming its first president on May 1, 1946.

As a Malay nationalist, Dato Onn strongly opposed the British who were involved with the establishment of the Malayan Union because they had full administrative powers over the Malay states except in areas pertaining to Islamic customs, and the treaties had the effect of circumscribing the spiritual and moral authority of the Malay rulers.

However, at the end of 1950, Dato Onn became increasingly repulsed with what he considered to be UMNO's race based communalist policies, and called for an open membership for the non-Malays in UMNO. His recommendations however went unheeded, resulting to him leaving the party on August 26, 1951.

Whereas Tunku, had always been a people’s person. Despite his aristocratic background, he was humble and made people in Malaya feel easy being around his presence. This was the reason why he was also chosen to face the British for a successful negotiation towards achieving independence. He is also known as a man who strives for peace and harmony, prioritising the welfare of the people above all else, and carried out his actions in a simplistic manner.

After Dato Onn resigned from his UMNO presidency, the post was entrusted to Tunku. He ensured that UMNO would not give up its political interests protecting the privileges of Malays, but at the same time formed an alliance with the non-Malays to create and inter-communal unity to achieve independence.

However, the cooperation was preconditioned that the non-Malays would not interfere with the rights and privileges of the Malays. Compared to Dato Onn’s approach, his tactics seemed to be more realistic with the situation in Malaya. Tunku managed to establish an alliance with the Party of Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA) in 1952, and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in 1955.

In the 1955 election, his Alliance Party won a sweeping majority and he became the first chief minister of Malaya. Tunku achieved independence without shedding a drop of blood, making him the first prime minister of an independent Malaya, and later moving on to become the prime minister of Malaysia.

Dato Onn, A Man Forgotten?

Looking back on these accounts, it is unquestionable why these two leaders were respected for their struggles, both for the Malay society, and against the British.

No doubt, Tunku was the one that hailed ‘MERDEKA’ seven times at the Merdeka Square, but is it fair for us to forget Dato Onn’s contributions which also played a big part in our country’s independence?

Some scholars also refer to Dato Onn as ‘The Initiator of Independence’. So, considering this, would he have been the better person to be deemed as the ‘Father of Independence’?

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Humanities lecturer Dr Nazarudin Zainun, shares with us his thoughts.

“If we look around us, the recognition and declaration of ones title as the ‘Father of Independence’ does not come from critics but from those who truly achieve it.

“Many have criticised the first Indonesian President, Sukarno, be it his political associates or opponents, yet he hailed as the ‘Father of Independence’ for Indonesia. The same goes for the Philippines.

“In Philippines, Manuel Luis Quezon hailed as the ‘Father of Independence’ but also suffered the same fate as he was widely criticised by his political opponents.

“Many people contributed towards the independence of Philippines but it was Quezon who became the choice of the Filipinos. In the case of Malaya or now known as Malaysia, Tunku met with the same fate, where his position and role as the ‘Father of Independence’ was questioned.

“But because there’s only one ‘Father of Independence’, in the end, the person who has a wider contribution will be deserving of the title. An important point here is, the winner of the title has the right to claim himself as a national hero,” he shared with Malaysian Digest.

Tunku, The People’s Favourite?

Tunku, grew up humble as his mother, the wife of Sultan Abdul Hamid of Kedah, would always impose upon her children. 

Like any human being, he may have had weaknesses and faults but he was always compassionate, kind, and very loyal to his friends and, above all, a religious person. Did all these reasons give him the upper hand to land the honour in becoming the ‘Father of Independence’ for Malaya?

To this, Dr Nazaruddin acknowledges Tunku’s capabilities but quipped at that time in Malaya, there were not many ambitious Malays.

“Let’s not forget that Tunku was of royal lineage. The Malays had a great amount of respect for those born out of aristocracy. 

"He was a lawyer who was able to administer the country, and he also received the trust of the majority of people back then.

“Interestingly enough, even before Malaya achieved independence, I must say, his diplomatic attitude is a push factor that helped gain the people’s trust in him,” Dr Nazaruddin said.

What Makes A True National Hero?

While Dato Onn was evidently more outward in his opposition, Tunku’s fights pales in comparison with his diplomatic approach, that during his lifetime, he had also on many occasions voiced concern that there were people in the country trying to block out his name from the pages of Malaysian history, as if he did not deserve to be acclaimed as a national hero in the strive for independence.

Dr Nazaruddin explained, “What we learn is that the history of our country begins in Malacca in the year 1,400 or the 15th century. When in fact, it has existed in the writings of the Chinese since the third century BC.

“In this context, since the fall of Malacca until our country’s independence, many lives were lost. There were heroes who fought with their lives to defend our homeland, religion and race. Shouldn’t they be declared as national heroes then?

“Diplomacy can only be achieved when a lot of sacrifices are being made, regardless in the form of riches or the loss of lives,” he stressed, and added that the true definition of a national hero really depends on how people perceive it.

“Because there are certainly countless unsung heroes out there. It’s hard to judge exactly based on what aspect would someone deserve to be called a hero. Perhaps, if the definition was not so complicated, it would be easy for anyone to call themselves a hero.

 “However, these two terms are different – the definition of a hero and the ‘Father of Independence’. There is only one ‘Father of Independence’, but there can be many heroes. Therefore, we need to really understand the history of our nation before making further claims,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, Azmi Ariffin, who is also a Humanities lecturer in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), tells us, when it comes to who is more deserving of the ‘heroic’ title ‘Father of Independence’, it really depends on one’s definition of the term.

“If their definition is someone who creates awareness and orchestrates independence, then Dato Onn would be the right candidate,” he said.

“If we look in depth, in history, there are many other figures that have contributed to the movement of independence after the Second World War, who have more caliber than Dato Onn or Tunku. However, their names were not mentioned in our history books.

“As far as the title 'Father of Independence' is concern, I believe it should be given to Tunku, as he was the first prime minister of Malaya who declared independence,” he said.

He then pointed out an interesting fact under Dato Onn’s leadership, in UMNO, that he was more outspoken against the British and revolted them, compared with Tunku.

He also explained how initially, UMNO had one goal, to strive towards independence, but was later split with the different political ideologies of the two leaders.

“I feel that there needs to be an in depth study in the history of UMNO as there appears to be an internal conflict with regards to the leadership at that time, because without the help of the British, Dato Onn could have been expelled from the party.

“To understand Dato Onn, we need to look beyond his leadership in UMNO and study his struggles after his departure. Only then we would be able to spot his mistakes in making political decisions in the party.

“In this context, Dato Onn should be remembered as someone who fought against the independence from the British, instead of being regarded as the 'Father of Independence'. 

“The contributions by the two leaders in achieving independence is undeniable, but I think we should not look at it from a personal aspect alone. If we look beyond that, what they’ve contributed is unmatched to what others before them have achieved.

“We must acknowledge all contributions, whether big or small, and appreciate the roles of all parties. Our history speaks the truth, whether good or bad, all events must be taken into account. The truth will not ruin us, instead it will guarantee to serve as a greater lesson for us all today,” he concluded.

Although it may not seem like a big issue, the question of who is more deserving to hail as the ‘Father of Independence’ between the two national leaders has crossed the minds of some Malaysians until this very day.

However, one thing’s for certain, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj will forever be remembered by all and in history as the country’s ‘Father of Independence’. As for Dato Onn Jaafar, he will always be the Malayan nationalist that will hold a special place in our hearts.

There is no winner or loser between these two great leaders, but only a great amount of respect and love for them both. Suffice to say, without both their contributions, Malaysia may have not existed today.

Source from: http://www.malaysiandigest.com/features/571898-remembering-two-great-leaders-tunku-abdul-rahman-and-dato-onn-jaafar-in-their-fight-for-independence.html