Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Tun Razak’s warnings on communism, communalism, and corruption remain vital for Malaysia’s future stability.
KUALA LUMPUR: The three threats identified by the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein decades ago — communism, communalism and corruption — remain relevant today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Speaking at the Remembering Statesman Tun Abdul Razak: Architect of Nation-Building programme today, Anwar said although the nature of some of these threats had changed, Tun Razak’s warnings continued to offer important lessons for younger generations in safeguarding the country’s stability and future.
He said the communist threat during Tun Razak’s time was an armed threat that could not be taken lightly, with members of the Armed Forces and police losing their lives in the fight against communist insurgents.
“As a young country, Malaysia had to spend a significant amount on defence and security, even as Tun Razak was deeply focused on national development,” he said.
On communalism, Anwar said Tun Razak understood the danger of racial sentiments being exploited in a multiracial country.
Although Tun Razak was a prominent Malay leader, he consistently reminded young Malays and student leaders against narrow communalism and stressed the importance of embracing a broader sense of nationhood, he said.
Anwar said corruption was the third threat identified by Tun Razak and remained a challenge that the country continued to face.
“His message was clear, corruption is a threat that can weaken the country from within,” he said.
Anwar said while the armed communist threat no longer existed in the same form, Malaysians must remain vigilant against foreign ideologies and influences that could undermine society.
He said Tun Razak’s emphasis on eradicating corruption and promoting national unity remained relevant to the country’s current circumstances.
“I do not believe that remembering Tun Razak should be limited to recounting stories about his life, although those stories are certainly important. More importantly, we must understand his ideas and vision.
“The younger generation, in particular, must look at how we can elevate the dignity of our people and our nation by understanding and internalising the lessons and messages left by these leaders,” he said.
Anwar said Tun Razak had the ability to look beyond his time and identify challenges that could either strengthen or undermine the country.
“Today, our responsibility is to keep the flame of his struggle alive and ensure that the values and ideas that shaped nation-building continue to guide us,” he said.
Anwar said Tun Razak’s contributions should continue to be studied and appreciated, particularly his role in shaping Malaysia’s development and nation-building agenda.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, and members of the family of the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, among others.
