Tun Fuad Stephens
Encyclopedia
Tun Haji Mohammad Fuad Stephens, previously known as, Donald Stephens, was the first Chief Minister of the state of Sabah
in Malaysia. He played a fundamental role in bringing the state of Sabah into the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. He held the chief minister post until 1964, and again in 1976. During his second term as Chief Minister he died in a controversial accident on June 6, 1976, in Kota Kinabalu
, the state capital of Sabah. He was a passenger in an Australian made Nomad aircraft
which crashed and killed everyone on board. His body was laid to rest at the State Mausoleum near the Sabah State Mosque
, Kota Kinabalu
. He was also the first Huguan Siou or Paramount Leader of the Kadazandusun community.
and half British
, while his mother was half Japanese
and half British. For a number of years Donald Stephens held the post of High Commissioner
of Malaysia in Australia
.
(USNO), and Tunku Abdul Rahman
, the then Prime Minister of Malaya. The formation of Malaysia was finally achieved on September 16, 1963, which is today known as Malaysia Day
. He became Sabah's first Chief Minister.
In 1964, Tun Fuad stepped down as Chief Minister in order to become the first Malaysian federal cabinet member
from Sabah. He was replaced by Peter Lo Sui Yin from the Sabah Chinese Association. Tun Fuad became the minister in charge of Sabah affairs under the Prime Minister's department.
On January 5, 1971 Donald and his entire family converted from Roman Catholicism to Islam
, and changed his name to "Mohammad Fuad".
In 1973, he was appointed as the governor of Sabah, known as the Yang di-Pertua Negara (the post was later known as Yang di-Pertua Negeri
). He held this position until 1975. Later that same year, Tun Fuad together with Harris Salleh
formed the new political party BERJAYA
. They would win the 1976 state election, defeating Tun Mustapha's USNO, becoming the new government of Sabah. Tun Fuad became Sabah's fifth Chief Minister. Forty-four days later, he died in a plane crash.
heading towards Kota Kinabalu
. About 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Kota Kinabalu International Airport
, the plane crashed killing everyone on board. Immediately after the accident foul play
was suspected.
The site of the plane crash is marked by a memorial
that was constructed not long after the accident. The site is located in the Sembulan area near the Grace Garden housing complex in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah across Jalan Coastal Highway from Sutera Harbor resort.
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
in Malaysia. He played a fundamental role in bringing the state of Sabah into the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. He held the chief minister post until 1964, and again in 1976. During his second term as Chief Minister he died in a controversial accident on June 6, 1976, in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu , formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount...
, the state capital of Sabah. He was a passenger in an Australian made Nomad aircraft
GAF Nomad
The GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "short take off and landing" aircraft . It was designed and built by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermens Bend, Melbourne. Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, the...
which crashed and killed everyone on board. His body was laid to rest at the State Mausoleum near the Sabah State Mosque
Sabah State Mosque
Sabah State Mosque is the state mosque of Sabah, located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. It was constructed in 1974...
, Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu , formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount...
. He was also the first Huguan Siou or Paramount Leader of the Kadazandusun community.
Background
Donald Aloysius Marmaduke Stephens was born on September 14, 1920. His father, Jules Stephen Pavitt, was half KadazanKadazan
The Kadazans are an ethnic group indigenous to the state of Sabah in Malaysia. They are found mainly on the west coast of Sabah, the surrounding locales, and various locations in the interior. Due to similarities in culture and language with the Dusun ethnic group, and also because of other...
and half British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
, while his mother was half Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
and half British. For a number of years Donald Stephens held the post of High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
of Malaysia in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Political career
Tun Fuad founded the political party United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO) in August 1961. He played a key role in negotiating the independence of Sabah and the formation of Malaysia, together with Tun Mustapha of United Sabah National OrganizationUnited Sabah National Organization
United Sabah National Organization was a political party based in Sabah, Malaysia. The party was founded by Tun Mustapha, the third Chief Minister of Sabah. The party came into power after winning the 1967 state election...
(USNO), and Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
, the then Prime Minister of Malaya. The formation of Malaysia was finally achieved on September 16, 1963, which is today known as Malaysia Day
Malaysia Day
Malaysia Day is held on September 16 every year to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963. It marked the joining together of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia...
. He became Sabah's first Chief Minister.
In 1964, Tun Fuad stepped down as Chief Minister in order to become the first Malaysian federal cabinet member
Cabinet of Malaysia
The Cabinet of Malaysia is the executive branch of Malaysia's government. Led by the Prime Minister, the cabinet is a council of ministers who are accountable collectively to the Parliament. According to the Article 43 of the Constitution, members of the Cabinet can only be selected from members...
from Sabah. He was replaced by Peter Lo Sui Yin from the Sabah Chinese Association. Tun Fuad became the minister in charge of Sabah affairs under the Prime Minister's department.
On January 5, 1971 Donald and his entire family converted from Roman Catholicism to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and changed his name to "Mohammad Fuad".
In 1973, he was appointed as the governor of Sabah, known as the Yang di-Pertua Negara (the post was later known as Yang di-Pertua Negeri
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the official title of the ceremonial heads of state of the Malaysian states without hereditary rulers, namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak...
). He held this position until 1975. Later that same year, Tun Fuad together with Harris Salleh
Harris Salleh
Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Harris bin Mohd Salleh, was the 6th Chief Minister of the state of Sabah, in Malaysia. He was also the president for Parti Berjaya. He held the Chief Minister's post from 1976 to 1985...
formed the new political party BERJAYA
BERJAYA
BERJAYA was a political party based in the eastern state of Sabah in Malaysia. BERJAYA stands for Parti Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah or Sabah People's United Front. The party was a result of a cooperation between Sabah's first Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and former United Sabah National...
. They would win the 1976 state election, defeating Tun Mustapha's USNO, becoming the new government of Sabah. Tun Fuad became Sabah's fifth Chief Minister. Forty-four days later, he died in a plane crash.
Plane crash
Tun Fuad and several cabinet members boarded a flight from LabuanLabuan
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
heading towards Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu , formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount...
. About 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport serves the city of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located about 8 km southwest of the city centre. It is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport, handling 4.8 million passengers in 2009...
, the plane crashed killing everyone on board. Immediately after the accident foul play
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
was suspected.
The site of the plane crash is marked by a memorial
Double Six Monument
The Double Six Monument is a memorial located at Sembulan area in Grace Garden housing complex in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia which marks the site of the June 6, 1976 fatal plane crash known as the Double Six Tragedy bearing the first Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens, as well as six...
that was constructed not long after the accident. The site is located in the Sembulan area near the Grace Garden housing complex in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah across Jalan Coastal Highway from Sutera Harbor resort.