To Tunku with love

As Malaysia celebrates 50 years of independence this week, Mohamed Marville Lye recounts a Lankan Malay leader's ties with that country

It was in late 1940 that Zahiere Lye who was on a business trip to England took an interest in meeting Malays from Malaya who went there for higher studies. Amongst them was Tunku Abdul Rahman taking his law exams. Their thoughts and discussions focused on gaining independence for Malaya.

Tunku on his return to Malaya kept in touch with Zahiere Lye. It did not take long for him to start visits to England and he was met by Zahiere at the Colombo harbour or Colombo Airport on his way to London.

Zahiere greeted Tunku and his delegation wishing them success, in their discussions with the UK Government.

The talks finally ended with Britain agreeing to grant independence to Malaya. This was the happiest moment for Tunku who immediately informed his friend Zahiere. Arrangements were soon made to celebrate this victory.

To mark the attainment of Independence by the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations, Zahiere and his wife Mashmoon were very special guests at the celebrations held on August 31, 1957, lasting over many days.

The friendship between Tunku and Zahiere grew and the Government of Malaysia invited Zahiere and his wife for many major events. Much correspondence was exchanged to cement the friendship.

To mark 10 years of Independence, Tunku invited Zahiere and Mrs. Lye as guests of Malaysia for the celebrations. On this occasion, they were invited to the "Residency" in Penang to have tea with Tunku's wife Puan Rodziah and children.

To mark their friendship Tunku presented Zahiere with a gold wristwatch with a portrait of Tunku on the dial and a similar gift to his wife Mashmoon manufactured in Switzerland by Longines.

Thereafter the Lyes invited Tunku and Puan Rodziah to Sri Lanka where they were given a rousing welcome by the Sri Lankan Malays at a reception held at the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo.

The Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak also visited Sri Lanka and was given a grand reception at the "Padang", the home of the Malays.

Zahiere Lye was the founder of "Padang" Complex in Colombo 2 -- home of the Malays comprising Colombo Malay Cricket Club, Sri Lanka Malay Association and the Malay Rupee Fund.

Much was done by Zahiere Lye to forge closer friendship with Malaysia. Subsequently the Sri Lanka Government decided to establish diplomatic relations with Malaysia and Zahiere Lye took all steps to help set up their embassy. All successive High Commissioners were close friends of Zahiere and Mashmoon. They also met with other Malays in towns like Kurunegala, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kirinda, Hambantota etc.

Zahiere Lye passed away in June 1969, leaving behind a great friendship between Sri Lanka Malays, who first came to Ceylon 350 years ago, and the people of Malaysia.