Nowadays you read in the papers that there are so many “hanky-panky”, both in the public
and private sectors – bosses stealing from the company coffers, employees making false
claims and bribery and corruption being reported almost daily. The 2010 Auditor-General’s
Report also revealed several indiscretions and wrongdoings. The controversy surrounding
the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) is one such example. How do we inculcate good
ethics amongst our people? I am well aware that changing the attitude and behaviour of the
people is difficult and would take time but it can be done if the change journey is led by the
political leaders and the top management team in the private sector. I believe that change
should come from the top. There is an old Chinese saying that “the fish rots from the head”.
This implies that if leaders are not upright then the culture of putting a hand in the kitty
would be difficult to eradicate. Leaders must “walk the talk”, “model the way”, and lead by
example. What happened to the slogan “Pimpinan Mengikut Teladan” (Leadership by
Example) and “Bersih, Cekap, Amanah” ( Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy) introduced by a
former Prime Minister. Were these slogans remained as “just slogan” and not practised and
applied in their daily lives. If the leaders are upright they would not “close one eye” and
sweep indiscretions “under the carpet”. In his article “Ethical Leadership and the National
Integrity Plan” Datuk Dr Sulaiman Mahbob (now Tan Sri), former President of the
Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM), wrote that “ Political leaders have a significant role in
contributing to ethical leadership. Without the support of political leaders it will be difficult to
fight corruption and to promote good governance in both private and public sectors. In this
context political leaders must see it as a moral responsibility to promote integrity and ethics
in all strata of administration and management in the country. In making decisions, the
politicians must make sure that their decisions are morally right. As stated by Abraham
Lincoln, “Whatever is morally wrong can never be politically right.”
One of the Prime Ministers that I know who lived with fairness, integrity, service and human
dignity, displayed ethical leadership and made decisions that were morally right, was our
second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Hussein. Tun Razak was appointed
Deputy Prime Minister after Merdeka in 1957 and succeeded Tunku Abdul Rahman as Prime
Minister in September 1970. Tun Razak passed away in London on 14 January 1976 of
leukemia, just two months shy of 54.
I remember Tun Razak well. I was only nine when I first met him. He was a good friend of
my father, Tan Sri Taib Andak. My husband, Dato Shafee Yahaya served as his Private
Secretary for almost six years, from 12 June 1969 to 1 June 1995. Tun Razak had left behind
a legacy – the conception of initiatives such as the Razak Education Report and the Red Book; the establishment of educational institutions including University Malaya, Institut Teknologi MARA, Serdang College of Agriculture and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; the creation of the New Economic Policy and setting up of relevant organisations such as FELDA, MARA, FELCRA, RISDA, FAMA, and Bank Pertanian; the development of trade and industry via FIDA/MIDA, PERNAS and State Economic Development Corporations (SEDCs) and the establishment of PETRONAS, to name a few. However, more importantly, he left behind a value system of integrity, honesty, hard work, morality, caring and loyalty to the nation. The evidence can be gleaned from Tun Razak’s behaviour and character.
Being privileged to serve and observe Tun Razak up close, Shafee said that the qualities that
endeared him to so many, amongst others were his sincerity and caring attitude for his
fellowmen, irrespective of origin, race, rank or religion, especially for the underprivileged.
This was reflected in his direct efforts in implementing measures to give “land for the
landless, jobs for the jobless”. He was simple and direct, no mere sloganeering or PR show
of words. Thus the creation of the NEP, FELDA, FELCRA, MARA and the small scale
industries.
Shafee recalls an incident when Tun Razak did not allow Tun Rahah to change the curtains
and re-upholster the furniture in the living room of their official residence, Sri Taman, even
though the curtains and furniture were showing signs of wear and tear. Tun Razak said the old
ones were still in good condition and he did not want to spend the rakyat’s money
unnecessarily. The simple furnishings in Sri Taman reflected Tun Razak’s thrift and respect
for public funds.
Shafee also remembers that Tun Razak had a high respect for the rule of law. He did not
interfere in the legal institutions or enforcement of the laws.
Dato’ Abdul Rahman Hamidon, who served as Secretary of the National Operations Council
(NOC) after 13 May 1969 related to me an incident that reflected Tun Razak’s sense of
integrity and accountability. “One morning, Tun Razak called me and said, I’m going to
Kelantan and Rahah wants to go too but I cannot take her because the government won’t pay
for this. I asked him to take her and that NOC would pay for it as he was the Director of
Operations. Tun Razak refused the offer as he did not want the people to talk about it. In the
end Tun Rahah had to go to Kelantan by herself, by car.” And that’s the type of man we had
running the country at that time. Let alone now, going overseas and taking their wives and
children”.
Dato’ Rahman also remembers the incident when he was invited by Tun Razak to accompany
him to Burma in 1970, together with some friends. Rahman thought it was going to be an allexpenses
paid holiday. He was taken aback when Tun Razak informed him that he had not
only to pay for all the expenses (air-fare and accommodation) but also to apply for leave.
When Tun Razak went for his medical check-up in London in December 1975, he submitted
a medical chit showing he was ill, like any other public servant, before asking for money for
the trip. To save money, he did not even take his wife along. This was confirmed by Dato’
Mohd Nordin Idris, who was his aide-de-camp from 1973 – Jan 1976. Only Dato’ Mohd
Nordin and Dr MacPherson accompanied Tun Razak to London. Shafee recalls with sadness
that exactly two weeks after Tun Razak’s death, he received a a gift from Tun Razak through
Nordin, ana Austin Reed shirt which Tun Razak had purchased in London whilst undergoing
treatment. Dato’ Mohd Annuar Jusoh, Tun Razak’s Political Secretary then, also received an
Austin Reed shirt two weeks after his death. Tan Sri Zain Azraai, Tun Razak’s Special
Principal Private Secretary received a pair of shoes. To the end Tun Razak was selfless and
remembered others.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Abdullah Ahmad who served as Tun Razak’s Political Secretary for 12 years
from 1962-1974, said that “Tun Razak was very dedicated to his work, to the extent of
being a workaholic and above all, he was incorruptible. When he died, he left behind only
two modest houses – one in Kuala Lumpur, and the other, a rumah kampung in his
constituency of Pekan Pahang. He had accumulated savings of RM100.000.”
Dato’ Mohd Annuar also said that Tun Razak was a good judge of character. He possessed
the ability to identify capable people to head newly –formed organisations/corporations.
However he would also first seek the views of others and check their credentials before
making up his mind. His choice would be persons of high integrity with no “baggage”, could
make things happen and implement his vision rather than “yes” men. Annuar added that
another of Tun Razak’s strength was his ability to inspire and motivate people. He was
professionally competent, had a natural drive and fundamental respect for, as well as a
genuine interest in people. He was able to provide firm direction such that people were
moved to go along with his ideas and buy into what he had set down. His persuasive
style also motivated them. He was a real statesman, a great leader, who had dedicated
his life, without heed to his state of health, to the development of his country and his
people.
Ahmad Mustapha Hassan who served as Tun Razak’s Press Secretary from 1975 until his
death said that “Tun Razak was a man of humility, a very Malay trait. Egoism was not at all a
part of his character. However he could be firm if the situation warranted. He was ever
willing to listen and never used his authority to belittle what others said.”
Tun Razak also demonstrated his firmness in combating corruption. Under him the Biro
Siasatan Negara (BSN) was revived in August 1973. Additional powers and freedom were
given to investigate and take action against corrupt officers and leaders, irrespective of their
position. In a short time, he had inspired a new culture among civil servants and leaders, one
that made them fear corruption and serve the nation.
Shafee remembers Tun Razak as being not an armchair leader but a hands-on one. He
“walked the talk” and “practised what he preached”. He travelled thousands of miles
every month – by car, land rover, helicopter, boat, motorcycle, and bicycle. He even walked,
to see for himself the progress of every development project in every corner of Malaysia. He
brought the administration down to the kampung folks. He went there to teach, lead and
inspire the officers and men responsible for the various undertakings. He even sought
the villagers’ views on programmes and projects. His attention for details and strategic
thinking in planning and implementation ensured officers were constantly up-to-date
and proactive in their briefs to him.
Even thought 36 years have elapsed since his passing Shafee is still indebted to Tun Razak
for the advice and guidance that he gave Shafee whilst serving as his Private Secretary. Tun
Razak was his role model and mentor. Shafee still remembers Tun Razak with the utmost
respect as a man with a strict sense of conduct, discipline and humility. His tireless efforts
in developing the country, his pursuit of ways to improve the lives of the rural poor, and
his selflessness and belief in the principles of accountability, transparency and fairness
will continue to remain with Shafee. Tun Razak’s professionalism and moral philosophy
will also continue to inspire Shafee and serve as a benchmark by which he can measure
himself.
Tun Razak passed away without leaving much worldly wealth behind for his wife and
children. But he left behind a lasting legacy – not only in terms of institutions and social
economic reforms but, more importantly, he left behind a value system of integrity, honesty,
hard work, caring, morality and loyalty to the nation. He died serving the nation until his last
breath.
When one thinks of Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Hussein, one cannot help recalling the
famous Malay saying:
“Lebih berharga mutiara sebutir daripada seluruh pasir dipantai”.
(It is more valuable to have one pearl than a whole beach of sand.)
