Father of Independence, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial is an important repository of his life in the headlines as well as away from the limelight. The venue was originally the home of the Tunku between 1956 and 1970 when he was serving as the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya, and subsequently as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Most Malaysians know of Tunku in his official capacity, but a visit to the memorial will offer an up-close-and-personal glimpse of his life behind closed doors. Established in November 1994, the memorial houses an extensive personal and official collection of items accumulated during his lifetime.

The two-storey bungalow is where visitors will find Tunku?s private office, seven bedrooms, a dining room, two sitting rooms and a drawing room for receiving VIPs. Speak to the caretaker seated at the entrance and you might be treated to tales of things that go bump in the night at the old house.

Today, the memorial is a vast three-building complex, comprising the Residency (Tunku?s former official residence) and two newer blocks. It is tucked away in a quieter part of bustling Kuala Lumpur, on Jalan Dato Onn. It serves as a permanent custodian for all archival, museum and library materials belonging or relating to Tunku. 

Walking through the quiet hallways of the over-a-century-old Residency building, with its period furnishings and worn walls, visitors will get a better sense of Tunku?s life away from the headlines and back-biting of politics.