Tuanku Jaafar

Infobox_Monarch | name =Tuanku Jaafar
title =10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia (King of Malaysia) and Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan


caption =Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman
reign =4th Yang di-Pertuan Besar 8 April 1968 - Present
10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong 26 April 1994 - 25 April 1999
coronation =8 April 1968
predecessor =Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad,
successor =
suc-type =
heir =
consort =Tuanku Najihah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin
issue =Tunku Dara Naquiah Tunku Naquiyuddin Tunku Imran Tunku Jawahir Tunku Irina Tunku Nazaruddin
royal house =
royal anthem =
father =Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad
mother =Che' Engku Maimuna binti Abdullah
date of birth =Birth date and age|1922|07|19|df=yes
place of birth =Klang, Selangor
date of death =
place of death =
buried =|

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB (born July 19, 1922) in Klang, Selangor was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (equivalent to King) of Malaysia from April 26, 1994 to April 25, 1999 and fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.

Early life and education

The second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, he was the first of four children by his commoner wife, Eurasian nurse Dulcie Campbell or better known as Che' Engku Maimuna binti Abdullah. The couple subsequently divorced.

Having studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, he graduated from the University of Nottingham before attending Balliol College, Oxford and the LSE. As a second son, Tunku Jaafar joined the civil and diplomatic service of the young Malaysia, but was elected by the Council of Undang to succeed his half-brother Tuanku Munawir in 1967. The election was controversial as the heir presumptive to the throne, Tuanku Munawir's son Tunku Muhriz was by-passed.

Early career

tate Officer

During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, Tuanku Ja’afar served at the Land Office of Seremban and as District Officer of Rembau from 1946 to 1947. Upon his return from the United Kingdom in 1952, Tuanku Ja’afar held several posts in the civil service including Assistant State Secretary of Perak, Assistant District Officer of Parit, Perak, and District Officer of Tampin.

Diplomat

Tuanku Ja’afar’s diplomatic career began in 1957. He took up a special course for diplomatic services in London for one year. His first appointment was as Charge d’ Affaires in Washington D.C., United States of America followed by First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaya in London. Tuanku Ja’afar was later appointed as the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt and then as High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana.

Yang di-Pertuan Besar

Tuanku Ja’afar was to have left for Japan to serve as the Malaysian Ambassador to that country but was recalled by the State Government of Negeri Sembilan following the demise of his brother HRH Tuanku Munawir, the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. All four Undang (Law-givers) and Tuanku Besar (hereditary ruler) of Tampin had unanimously elected Tuanku Ja’afar as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan to succeed HRH Tuanku Munawir. Tuanku Ja’afar ascended the throne as the 10th Ruler of Negeri Sembilan on 18 April 1967.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Tuanku Ja’afar was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999.

Personal life

Tuanku Ja’afar married Tuanku Najihah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin of Negeri Sembilan, his stepmother's younger sister, who also served as his Raja Permaisuri Agong on 8 August 1943. The royal couple is blessed with three sons and three daughters.

Other Interest

During his reign as the ruler of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja’afar focused his attention on the problems of the people and the administration of the state. In handling the socio-economic affairs of the state, Tuanku Ja’afar directed his attention to the industry and public housing sectors so as to improve the living standard of the people. As a result, several new housing areas were developed among which is Taman Tuanku Ja’afar which includes an industrial area and a golf course of international standard, Taman Tuanku Ampuan Najihah in Sungai Gadut and the Mambau housing project.

Tuanku Ja’afar wants Negeri Sembilan to remain a peaceful and prosperous state enabling all races to live in peace and harmony. Hence, in his efforts to eradicate poverty among the people, Tuanku Ja’afar to create more employment opportunities so that all levels of society may benefit from the economic progress.

Tuanku Ja’afar is loved by his people for his wisdom, sincerity and dedication. He is also admired and respected by his brother rulers, and local and foreign leaders.

Tuanku Ja’afar became the Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on 16 April 1976. Tuanku Ja’afar had always urged for the improvement of the standard of education in Malaysia. He was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Law by several universities namely the University of the Philippines (27 July 1990), University of Nottingham (21 July 1995), University of Santiago, Chile (28 September 1995) and University of Brunei Darussalam (11 September 1996).

Tuanku Ja’afar and the royal family of Negeri Sembilan are known as the “Royal Family of Sports”. He and his family have shown great interest in cricket, tennis, badminton, squash, hockey and golf within and outside Malaysia. His son HH Tunku Imran has been the President of World Squash for seven years.

As a golf enthusiast, Tuanku Ja’afar is a regular participant in golf tournaments within and outside the country. He has also improved the standard of sports in Negeri Sembilan by upgrading the golf courses and facilities especially those of the International Golf Club of Seremban. Tuanku Ja’afar also participates in the annual Malaysian Open Golf Pro-Am from the time it was first held.

During his 29 years of rule in Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja’afar has introduced major changes for socio-economic development of the state. Under his rule today, all levels of society are enjoying the benefits of progress and development.

Honours

Tuanku Jaafar held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Malaysia/malay2.htm] . His foreign awards are below:

Knight of the Order of the Seraphim of Sweden (w/Collar)-1996

Grand Collar of the Order of Merit of Chile-1995

Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland-1995

Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit of Spain (w/ Collar)-1995

Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross of Brazil (w/Collar)-1995

Raja of the Order of Sikatuna of the Philippines-1995

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Uruguay-1996

Special Order of the Grand Cross of the Bundesverdienstkreuz-1996

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)-1998