Tun Razak's Legacy Lives On

The legacy of the second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein lives on through his thinking and policies which he had implemented, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in a Bernama report released today.

He said the spirit of the New Economic Policy (NEP) mooted by his father was treasured, inferred and explicated in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said this policy signified that Tun Razak was a leader who was ahead of his times in championing and developing the nation.

"In the National Mission, we are still focusing on povverty eradication, stimulating the economy, addressing racial and regional imbalance, uplifting the quality of life, and ensuring that the policies are well implemented," he told reporters after opening the "Tun Razak's Legacy to National Development" seminar here today.

Najib said as a son, Tun Razak was his source of inspiration to work hard with selfless devotion for the benefit of the people and country. He said Tun Razak was an honest, sincere and hardworking leader who acted in the best interest of the people.

For instance, he said, in 1962 Tun Razak travelled for over 43,000 miles (68,800km) by road, air (plane and helicopter) and boat, and cycled and went on foot to visit 45 state and district operations rooms nationwide.

Najib said unknowingly he had been following Tun Razak's ways and dedication, and was especially encouraged by his speech at the MCA general assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 9, 1975. Tun Razak had said: "The leaders must always be together with the people. Otherwise, we will never know the people's needs and aspirations."

Najib said he admired Tun Razak's moderate ways and in shouldering his responsibilities which were telling when he headed the National Operations Council (Mageran), set up after the racial riots on May 13, 1969. As Mageran director, he said Tun Razak was vested with the absolute power to govern the country but he did not cling on to it like leaders in certain countries.

Najib said Tun Razak regarded his responsiblity as Mageran director not as a burden but a vital one, and he set up the National Consultative Council in January 1970 which formulated the social contract and Rukun Negara (National Principles) which became the foundation of the people's prosperity and peaceful co-existence.

He said Tun Razak governed the country as Mageran director for only 21 months before handing the power back to the people by returning the nation to democracy on Feb 23, 1971.

On his father's achievements, Najib said chief among them were ending the confrontation with Indonesia and forging diplomatic relations with China, the first country in the region to do so. Najib also described Tun Razak as a leader with a transformational trait as he had changed the economic and political landscape of the country.

"Clad in bush jacket, going on foot with a walking stick and clearing his throat, Tun Razak moved the government machinery to ensure the smooth implementation of development (projects)," he said.
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