Arya News - Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim said the present generation should heed former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak`s warning from the 1970s about the three major threats facing the country at the time – communism, communalism, and corruption.
KUALA LUMPUR – Two of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s reminder on “3Cs” – communalism and corruption – remain relevant today, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the present generation should heed the second prime minister’s warning about the three major threats facing the country at the time – communism, communalism and corruption.
“The first C, the communist threat, in terms of a militant communist insurgency, is no longer around. But we must remain vigilant against foreign or extremist ideologies.
“However, communalism remains strong and corruption continues to be one of our major problems,” Anwar said at the “Remembering Statesman Tun Abdul Razak: Architect of National Development and Nation-Building” event at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial here yesterday.
The programme, organised by the National Unity Ministry, through the National Archives and the Tun Razak Foundation, is part of efforts to commemorate and highlight the legacy of the country’s statesman for present and future generations.
Anwar said Razak’s warning on corruption remained highly significant, particularly his message to young people that integrity was easy to pledge before assuming power, but could waver once a person gained authority.
“Hopefully, our discussions today will not lose sight of the message left by a statesman who could look beyond his own time and recognise the dangers that could threaten the country, dangers that our generation and future generations must avoid.
“Young people, in particular, must understand this,” said Anwar.
On the New Economic Policy (NEP), Anwar said it was never intended to benefit an elite class driven by power and corruption.
He said much of the NEP had been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
“When Tun Razak formulated the NEP, its objective was clear. The Malays and ordinary people could not improve their position without targeted assistance to raise their standard of living. It was about empowering Malays who had the ability to become entrepreneurs and compete with other communities.
“That was the specific objective. It was quite a radical idea by the standards of the time,” he said.
Anwar also praised Razak’s efforts to eradicate poverty regardless of race.
“Many young people today have forgotten that when Tun Razak introduced the NEP, he never departed from the principle of eradicating poverty regardless of race.
“I still remember his speeches and the discussions surrounding this,” Anwar added.
The Prime Minister said Razak’s principles of restructuring society and eradicating poverty regardless of race remain relevant and should be strengthened in line with current demands.
He urged Malaysians, particularly the younger generation, not to merely remember Razak as a historical figure, but to rekindle the torch of his struggle and ideas in confronting the challenges of nation-building.
Anwar also hoped the programme would go beyond revisiting the life and contributions of Razak by highlighting his ideas and thinking for the new generation to appreciate.
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