THE profound friendship between Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, affectionately known as Ku Li and Tun Abdul Razak Datuk Hussein has been immortalised within the pages of Ku Li's latest literary offering, Ku Li: Memoir 205.
Razak, Malaysia's second prime minister, was renowned for his visionary leadership. During his nearly six-year tenure, he spearheaded significant economic growth through the New Economic Policy (1971), aimed at eradicating poverty and addressing racial economic imbalances post-1969 riots. His initiatives boosted Bumiputera participation in the economy via agencies like Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas).
Known as Malaysia's "Father of Development", Razak prioritised the development in rural areas of the country to ensure socio-economic balance. He introduced the Green Book in 1974, offering guidelines for land use, agriculture and small-scale projects to enhance food supply and rural income.
Earlier, in 1960, he launched the Red Book, detailing district development plans, which facilitated the establishment of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).
In a 2007 lecture titled "The Thoughts and Vision of Tun Abdul Razak in the Nation Building — Nation State, Across Ethnic Boundaries," Ku Li described Razak as a visionary leader whose forward-thinking ideas were ahead of his time. At a period when the nation still lacked essential services and basic needs, Razak meticulously crafted solutions to propel the country forward.
Despite his hard work and significant contributions, Razak harboured a significant secret that he kept from everyone throughout his tenure as prime minister.
BEST KEPT SECRET
Razak's illness was one of the most successfully kept state secrets. He had been suffering from leukaemia since 1970, and he knew that he had less than six years to live. Since his diagnosis, specialists treating Razak used to travel back and forth from London to Kuala Lumpur, where a government bungalow was converted into a treatment facility.
Due to its proximity to deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman's residence, whenever he was at that location, Razak would feign visits to Dr Ismail.
Despite those clandestine treatments, he grew frailer and the increasing frequency of his falls was a clear indication of his worsening condition. Remarkably, there was an incident where he lost a tooth, yet the resilient prime minister defiantly stuck it back in place, determined to conceal any evidence of his fall from others.
There were other instances where he collapsed, resulting in a bloodied face and broken bones. He also used to bleed from his mouth so much that he couldn't open it, which is why he always carried a handkerchief.
"His family was unaware of his condition. No one knew, except towards the very end of his life. He didn't want burden the country, so he kept it all hidden," revealed Ku Li.
This unwavering commitment and dedication to his work, despite his severe health challenges, speaks volumes about Razak's character and sense of duty.
LONG WALKS BY THE PARK
While in Paris, France, Razak's Europe holiday (the first one he had taken in two years) was cut short after just four days, due to his hospital admission.
On Dec 22, 1975, he was transferred to London and eventually checked into the London Clinic, a private hospital near Regent's Park, for a thorough examination. During this time, he had lost his appetite and his weight plummeted to 48kg.
Three days later, on Christmas Day, his wife Tun Hajah Rahah Mohamed Noah and eldest son, Najib, arrived. Razak was well enough to stay with his family at the Knightsbridge Hotel and was expected to return to Malaysia in 10 days.
At the urging of Razak, Ku Li arrived in London on Dec 30 and celebrated New Year's Day with the ailing prime minister. "Tun Razak seemed happy throughout my visit. I used to walk with him in Hyde Park along the Serpentine River, accompanied by doctors and a few Scotland Yard officers. I was with him every day at his urging," recalled Ku Li. During those long walks, the two men would discuss Razak's plans for the nation.
The day before Ku Li left London, he and Razak visited the renowned Austin Reed fashion store, where a new suit on display caught the prime minister's eye. He wanted to try the suit on and when the shopkeeper learnt that Razak was the prime minister of Malaysia, he eagerly brought out many options.
The gleeful Razak tried the suits on, one by one. After a while, he remarked regretfully: "I like this one… but I cannot buy it. It's too expensive." To appease the shopkeeper, he said: "Never mind, if I get better, I'll buy it before I fly back. I want to wear this when I return to Kuala Lumpur."
That evening, Ku Li planned to host a dinner at Mirabelle for the staff of the Malaysian Commission in London. Prior to the event, he swiftly returned to Austin Reed and purchased three suits, including the one admired by Razak in blue, black and brown.
At the dinner, a beaming Razak met him, wearing one of his new suits. Ku Li complimented him, saying: "Our prime minister looks very handsome!"
Razak responded with a wide smile.
"That was the last time we had dinner together," recalled Ku Li.
The next evening, before his departure for Kuala Lumpur, Ku Li received solemn news from Razak's physician, authorised by the prime minister himself: Razak's health was rapidly declining and the prognosis was grim.
Despite his fervent wish to return to Malaysia to spend his final moments, the trip was impossible as he wouldn't survive the plane journey. Reflecting on the moment, Ku Li recalled the profound impact of the news, yet he found solace in honouring Razak's request for confidentiality amidst the tumult of emotions.
That night, Ku Li returned home with a heavy heart, accompanied by Najib, who still believed that his father's health would improve and he'd be well again.
On Jan 14, 1976, Razak passed away at the age of 53. As a shocked nation mourned his loss, Razak's unwavering dedication to duty and his remarkable ability to carry the weight of his illness in silence remained etched in the annals of history.
For Ku Li, that final dinner with the prime minister, clad in his new suit, became more than just a fleeting moment of companionship; it became a poignant testament to the unwavering courage with which Razak confronted the twilight of his life.
KU LI: Memoir 205
Author: Zinitulniza Abdul Kadir
Publisher: Forum Press
339 pages
Available on Shopee.