KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Abdul Razak Hussein was a man of honour and integrity, who not only fulfilled his duties sincerely but also dedicated the final hours of his life to the country.
Sultan Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah in paying tribute to the second Prime Minister said when the latter died, not only did a wife and children lose a husband and father but Malaysia, its citizens and leaders alike lost a great statesman who was rich in human nature.
"Tun Abdul Razak was a Prime Minister for 1,941 days, a term that is not so long but has left an everlasting memory in the people's mind and carved in the nation's history.
"He took over the responsibility as the second Prime Minister of Malaysia on Sept 22, 1970, where he worked with all sincerity and dedication during the time he was entrusted with rhe position.
"He accepted the heavy responsibility despite the five scenarios faced by the country at that time," Sultan Nazrin said in his speech at launch of the book "Fulfilling A Legacy" published by the Tun Razak Foundation in conjunction with its 40th anniversary.
The five scenarios Sultan Nazrin mentioned includes the political recovery incubator the country was in after the racial riots on May 13, 1969; Umno and Perikatan, the party he was tasked to lead, suffered huge confidence deficit and significant loss of support by the people when they lost two-thirds majority in the third General Election on May 10, 1969; and the Malays and Bumiputeras, who were discriminated the most during the British colonial era, were in the mood to protest and rebel as they felt the independence made no difference to them.
The book is a fitting tribute to Tun Abdul Razak as the foundation continues to fulfill his legacy.
Written by Shahreen Kamaluddin, it records the Foundation's history, programmes and activties over a span of 40 years as well as interviews with the Board of Trustees who have worked closely with Tun Abdul Razak.
The trustees spoke of how they remembered him, an extraordinary human being, exemplary statesman and leader, caring and compassionate man and a man of the highest integrity.
Sultan Nazrin said Razak took on the challenges before him, leaving his legacy to be felt by future generations.
He said not only did the former premier dissolve the National Operations Council and gave the people back the power to choose their government in 1972 but he also restored their confidence and support to Umno leaders as well as the new political coalition named Barisan Nasional.
BN, he said, won big in the 1974 General Election and saw upcoming leaders Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Musa Hitam, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Datuk Marina Yusoff enter the political arena.
The Sultan of Perak said other legacies Razak left was entrusting Malays and Bumiputeras to lead various government organisations and private and corporate bodies, the concept of Bandarisasi or urbanisation by developing rural areas with infrastructures such as drainage systems, electricity, roads and methods to develop land in a modern way through Felda (Felda Land Development Authority).
"Felda is synonymous with Tun Abdul Razak. Not only did Felda introduce modern agricultural methods for the settlers but also provided education in the area.
"Education is another legacy he left, where access to knowledge was provided at all levels nationwide with the addition of more boarding schools, colleges and universities," the Sultan of Perak said in his royal address.
Sultan Nazrin said the former premier also left two elements that reflected his values that should be appreciated and observed by the people.
"First was his non-greedy nature to power, proven by his willingness to restore power to the people as well as his willingness to handover quickly to those next in line.
"Second was his trustworthy and honest qualities embodied in the transparent and integral administration practices.
"He would carefully spend the country's money, t
horoughly ensuring the nation's money was not wasted on himself or the family and insist on repaying every sen back to the country if it had been used for his personal self," he said.
Sultan Nazrin, who was accompanied by his wife Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, was overcome by emotion towards the end of the speech.
Sultan Nazrin also paid tribute to Tun Rahah Mohd Noah, describing her as a noble individual who played an important role behind the scenes and was the source of strength to Tun Razak.
Despite her position, he said, first as the wife of a deputy prime minister and later as the wife of the prime minister, she remained humble and down to earth.
He said Tun Rahah went on to take full responsibility to educate and bring up all five sons who grew to great success after her husband's death.
"Based on the stories in this book, Tun Rahah should be made as a role model.
"To Tun Rahah, the country and its citizens are indebted to you and your sacrifice, lending your beloved husband to his nation.
"The country is obliged to thank her," he said, holding back tears.
The public can purchase the book from the foundation at RM100.
Also present at the book launch was the foundation's president Tun Hanif Omar, Tun Rahah and her family, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid and Tan Sri Arshad Ayub.