Tun Hussein Onn Memorial, the Country's Treasure Trove

Bernama – 8 Feb. 2006

For that, the National Archives which was entrusted by the government to set up and administer the Tun Hussein Onn Memorial had been working to create that bluish aura. 

National Archives Director General Datuk Rahani Jamil told Bernama that work was in progress to repair and renovate the interior of the memorial, located at Jalan Dato Onn here, to include the favourite colour of the former prime minister. 

Hussein, the eldest child of Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar, was appointed a prime minister on Jan 15, 1976 following the sudden death of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in London due to leukaemia. 

On July 16, 1981, he relinquished his post as prime minister due to health problems and died in May 29, 1990 at the Seaton Medical Centre in San Francisco , United States of America while undergoing heart treatment. 

Rahani said the setting up of the Tun Hussein Onn Memorial was approved by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Dec 22, 1998. 

The National Archives had set up various exhibition corners at the memorial to display memorabilia of the late Tun Hussein which were obtained from his family members, relatives and friends. 

She said the Tun Hussein Onn Memorial, scheduled to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi this Friday, had three floors with each displaying various exhibits on Tun Hussein's life. 

Hussein, who had served as a police commandant in Johor Baharu , Klang Assistant District Officer and a lawyer, was appointed Education Minister in 1970 and made the Deputy Prime Minister in 1973 when Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman died from a heart attack. 

Rahani said the memorial would also display Tun Hussein's office when he was prime minister as well as his biography and family root which started from his grandfather, Datuk Jaafar Muhammad, the first Menteri Besar of Johor. 

She said visitors would also get an insight of Tun Hussein's childhood, his school life and as a lawyer before his active involvement in politics. 

There will also be exhibits on his wife, Tun Suhailah Tan Sri Mohd Noah, and her contributions as the country's First Lady. 

Source: Bernama | www.bernama.com