KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians must revisit the country's past to navigate current challenges, says Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
He drew an example of the visionary leadership of former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, whose legacy was described as a "compass for the present."
This was due to Razak's unyielding commitment to democracy, integrity, and national unity during challenging times.
"Indeed, perhaps the greatest challenge that Tun Razak faced was to heal a young country badly shaken by the riots of May 1969 and to prevent further violence.
"He achieved this in part by taking strong and decisive steps, but also through democratic means, to which he was strongly committed," he said during the launching of the book titled 'Tun Abdul Razak: Imagining Malaysia's Future Through His Lenses'.
Sultan Nazrin said Razak was known for his ability to identify new, young talent, and his willingness to nurture it.
"He always prioritised what he felt was best for the country, and so welcomed brilliant new additions to his administration with open arms.
"Many, of course, went on to contribute so much to our country, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Musa Hitam and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah."
He added that the same commitment could be seen in Razak's approach to the civil service.
"He only ever appointed qualified and competent administrators and technocrats.
"And he gave them the confidence to speak truth to those in power, and to be honest to their superiors without fear of reprisal. As he put it in one speech:
'As civil servants, I hope you will stand up to us politicians, and not allow yourselves to be dominated by us.
'Because in a true democracy, the civil servants have a duty to perform. The future of our country's democratic way of life is dependent on you.'
Meanwhile, Sultan Nazrin praised the book's approach, noting that it draws inspiration from Razak to guide readers through today's complex challenges.
"One crucial lesson that emerges clearly from the book is the importance of taking a long-term approach to development. Tun Razak dedicated his entire life to public service.
"From the moment he first took up public office in the 1950s until his untimely death in 1976, he worked tirelessly on what one might call the nuts and bolts of our development.
"From Felcra and Felda to Mara and Risda, he painstakingly put the building blocks of our subsequent development path into place.
"These efforts laid the groundwork for what he then accomplished during his short premiership, which together form his lasting and invaluable legacy."