Following Malayan independence in 1957, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman actively popularized golf among local Asian citizens.

For decades, golf clubs in Malaysia operated as exclusive enclaves for colonial officers and wealthy expatriates. This dynamic shifted dramatically after independence in 1957. Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, was an avid golfer who recognized the sport's potential for national unity. He passionately encouraged local citizens to pick up clubs and join the Royal Selangor Golf Club, transforming a colonial relic into a vibrant, inclusive symbol of a new nation.