The late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s warning about the dangers of communism, communalism and corruption remains relevant to Malaysia today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar said that although the armed communist threat faced by the country during Razak’s era had disappeared, Malaysia must not underestimate foreign ideologies that could influence society.
He said communalism and corruption also remained serious challenges.
‘Corruption remains a major problem. Hopefully, we will not overlook the message of a national leader who was able to look beyond his time and identify things that could save the country and which should be avoided by present and future generations,’ he said.
Anwar was speaking at the Remembering Statesman Tun Abdul Razak programme at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial in Kuala Lumpur today.
Razak’s ‘three Cs’
Anwar said Razak had identified the three ‘Cs’ as major challenges facing Malaysia in the 1970s.
‘The first C was communism. The threat from the communist groups at that time could not be underestimated because it was an armed threat that resulted in members of the armed forces and police being killed,’ he said.
‘The second C was communalism. This was a very painful process because this country comprises various races, and people could easily be swept up by strong racial sentiments if they were not controlled,’ he added.
Anwar said Razak had also identified corruption as the third major threat to the country, despite the issue being highlighted as early as the 1970s.
He said Razak had warned university students about the dangers of communalism, including the distortion of Malay nationalism into narrow racialism.
Anwar said Razak had also reminded young people that the struggle against corruption had to continue, particularly when they eventually assumed positions of power.
Lessons for present and future generations
Anwar said Razak’s warnings should not be regarded merely as historical records, but as guidance for present and future generations.
‘I believe the National Archives not only tells the important stories of Tun Abdul Razak, but also his ideas. I think to do justice to a statesman is to rekindle the flame, “rekindle its flame”,’ he said.
Anwar also highlighted Razak’s contribution to the formulation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), particularly its objective of eradicating poverty regardless of race.
He said the NEP remained an important framework for restructuring society and addressing poverty, although its implementation needed to be aligned with current circumstances.
Anwar said Razak’s legacy should be understood not merely through his historical achievements, but also through the principles and ideas he championed in confronting challenges to national unity, integrity and development.
He said these lessons remained important as Malaysia continued its efforts to strengthen the country and improve the wellbeing of its people.
