KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the younger generation not to merely remember the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein as a historical figure, but instead to rekindle the torch of his struggle and ideas in confronting the challenges of nation-building.

Anwar said efforts to honour the contributions of the country’s second Prime Minister must be accompanied by a deep understanding of his ideas, thinking and values, so that these can serve as key guides in addressing current challenges.

He stressed that figures such as Tun Abdul Razak should not be viewed merely as part of the historical record, as his ideas and struggles continue to hold value and relevance for generations today and in the future.

“This figure was no ordinary person, and he did not come and go as a simple historical tale. That is why it is our responsibility to keep the flame of his struggle burning brighter.

“Remembering a statesman is no easy task. It can uncover history, inspire a longing for change, rekindle a sense of what is right to serve as lessons and guidance. Not to bury the ashes of the dead, but to rekindle its flame,” he said when delivering a speech at the Remembering Statesman Tun Abdul Razak: “Architect of Nation-Building” programme at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial here today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

The prime minister said Tun Abdul Razak’s ideas and spirit of struggle must continue to be kept alive because the vision he left behind remains relevant as a guide for present and future generations, rather than being regarded merely as part of history.

He said the late statesman played an important role as a wise helmsman in developing the country after independence, at a time when Malaysia was facing various challenges, including racial tensions, the communist threat and a weak economic position.

“Statesmen like Tun Abdul Razak were very wise and astute helmsmen. He sought out and assessed individuals, placing his trust in figures from the public and private sectors and bringing out the best in them with integrity to help him,” he said.

Anwar also shared his personal experience as a university student who had interacted with Tun Abdul Razak at his official residence, Seri Taman, where the latter took seriously and assessed the views and concerns of young people at the time.

He said the experience showed Tun Abdul Razak’s openness to listening to the views of young people who took a firm stance and called for change, even though their views might have been somewhat hard-hitting.

The prime minister said the New Economic Policy (NEP) was among the most important legacies of Tun Abdul Razak that must be understood based on its original objectives of restructuring the economy and eradicating poverty regardless of race.

He said the NEP should not be misconstrued as a policy that benefited only the elite or cronies, but was instead intended to uplift the dignity of the poor and provide opportunities for those with the ability to compete in entrepreneurship.

“I still remember our speeches and discussions at the time at Seri Taman. He said, the poor do not recognise skin colour... and coincidentally (at that time) the majority were Malays.

“For me, the NEP remains a very noble vision in terms of restructuring society and eradicating poverty regardless of race. Unfortunately, in the current narrative, it tends to be interpreted from a different perspective,” he said.

He said the government today had never wavered from its commitment to eradicating poverty comprehensively, thereby continuing the original spirit championed by Tun Abdul Razak.

The prime minister said the late statesman’s principles of restructuring society and eradicating poverty regardless of race remain relevant and need to be strengthened in line with current demands.

He also said the present generation should take heed of the second Prime Minister’s message on the country’s three main threats, or the “3Cs” — Communism, Communalism and Corruption.

He said although the armed communist threat no longer exists as it did in the past, the country must remain vigilant against the influence of foreign ideologies, while also addressing racial sentiments and corruption, which remain major challenges.

“Communalism remains deeply entrenched, while corruption continues to be one of the problems here,” he said.

Anwar said Tun Abdul Razak’s warning on corruption was highly significant, particularly his message to young people that integrity is easy to pledge before one assumes power, but the principle often wavers once a person gains a position of authority.

In this regard, he hoped the programme commemorating the statesman would not merely revisit the life and contributions of Tun Abdul Razak, but also highlight his ideas and thinking for the new generation to appreciate.

The Remembering Statesman programme was organised by the Ministry of National Unity through the National Archives and the Tun Razak Foundation, as part of efforts to commemorate and highlight the legacy of the country’s statesmen so that it continues to be known and appreciated by present and future generations. — Bernama