Abdul Rahman Talib

Abdul Rahman was born in 1916 in Temerloh, Pahang. He had received early education in his hometown and furthered his studies in Sultan Idris Training College (SITC), Tanjung Malim, and Perak. He began his career as a teacher in Sekolah Abdullah, Kuantan in 1940. After nearly 5 years of being an educator, he appointed as Penolong Nazir Sekolah-sekolah Melayu Pahang in 1945. In 1952, he had pioneered Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama in Education Department, Pahang.

He was very active in Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (UMNO) and was also a member of National Council. In 1956 he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Local Government. He then was appointed Transport Minister in 1957, Trade and Industry Minister in 1959, Education Minister in 1960 till 1962, and back again to Education Minister in 1964.

As an Education Minister, he had come up with a report containing important propositions and proposals targeted to the overall improvement of the education system of the Federation of Malay States. This report is known as Laporan Rahman. Through this report he had emphasized on increasing the usage of Malay Language in the education system of the time.

Among other proposals in the report was that the Malay language be made a compulsory subject apart from the English Language. The Malay language must be taught from the most preliminary level in all primary school and students must pass the subject in order to advance to secondary school and teachers training center.

Incentives have been given to teachers in order to encourage a good passing result in Malay language classes. In 1962, Abdul Rahman had been awarded Ijazah Kehormat Doktor Undangundang by University Malaya. His competence was not only in the political field, but also in the education sector. He had contributed so much especially in distinguishing Bahasa Melayu as the National Language. He had resigned in 1965 and drew his last breath on 18 October 1968 in Kaherah, Eqypt.

Rahman Talib Report

In 1960, the Rahman Talib Report was introduced and incorporated in the Education Act 1961. Among others, it called for: Stress on 3M basic education - Membaca, Menulis, dan Mengira (reading, writing and arithmetic) Stress on a strong spiritual education and the desired elements of discipline Stress on a Malayan curriculum Upper secondary education of two streams, academic and vocational Opportunity to continue education from 9 years to 11 years Facilitation of education management procedures to improve the overall quality of education

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Haji Talib

Rahman Talib was a name I heard as a child. I also heard of the Rahman Talib Report as a child. I didn't know who he was. Even when my mother was nearing pension age, she was still speaking about Rahman Talib Scheme. He is Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Haji Talib. He was the Minister of Education Malaysia 1960-62 and Minister of Health Malaysia 1962-64. I wasn't even in school yet! I was 6 years old!

There is conflicting evidence of his post between 1962 and 1964. One evidence says he was Minister of Education in 1964 and another states he was Minister of Health 1962-64. Which is correct? This type of conflicting evidence in published matter makes writing for TEMD very difficult as I have to take time off to find out what is the correct information. Verification takes time as I don't know people in the first Cabinet. Checking facts takes a lot of time.

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Haji Talib

Copyright (C) 2010 Methodist Boys' School Kuala Lumpur Alumni Association. Source: Eminent Alumni, Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur Alumni Association Accessed on 12 May 2011. Here he is Minister of Health in 1964, the year he resigned

Rahman Talib resigns. Here the date cited is 7 December 1964 and it states him as Minister of Education. This was at the time of Tunku Abdul Rahman who was PM. Both were in the first Cabinet. The lady is his wife (provides positive ID for her in the photo below). Source: Chronicle of Malaysia 1957-2007, page 88. My comment: The info above maybe incorrect as he was the Minister of Health in 1964, according to the article above and below.

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Haji Taib in Who's Who in Malaysia 1963. In his entry here he is the Minister of Health in 1963. Since information must be submitted a year before, he was Minister of Health since 1962, at the time of submission of this entry. These photos below were received from the family of Dr Mohamed bin Taib (Pahang). Please help me to identify the people in the photos. (I was in Standard 1 in 1965.)

Welcoming Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib? Dental staff of new clinic lined up. Who is who from right? Pahang circa 1962-64

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib opening a new dental clinic. Pahang circa 1962-64

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib at extreme right in songkok. Who is next to him? Coco?

Checking out the new dental suite. Dato' Abdul Rahman with songkok. Pahang circa 1962-64

Demonstrating new dental equipment to Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib (far right with songkok)

Tea break. Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib is seated in the middle. His wife is beside him

Dato' Abdul Rahman bin Hj Talib with songkok and back to camera. Dr Mohamed bin Taib (Pahang dentist) is in centre, in front of him and facing camera.