TUN Abdul Razak Hussein’s legacy is not just history to be admired, but a toolkit for how to think, lead, and solve Malaysia’s future problems, say academics and corporate leaders on the 50th death anniversary of Malaysia’s second prime minister.
Highlighting the importance of learning from history, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Malaysian and International Studies Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Embong warned that those who forget the past risk repeating it.
“Tun Razak’s leadership must be understood through three lenses: the historical context of nation-building, his qualities as a strategic and pragmatic leader, and the lessons his legacy offers for today’s generation,” he said at the Tun Abdul Razak Legacy Forum held at Universiti Malaya (UM) on April 21.
Pointing to Tun Razak’s early years as a student leader in London, Prof Abdul Rahman said the widely regarded Father of Development engaged with international political thought, built cross-cultural relationships, and developed a worldview that later shaped Malaysia’s diplomatic and domestic strategies.
These experiences, he asserted, demonstrated the importance of exposure, intellectual curiosity and global engagement for young Malaysians today.
Chiming in, UM Centre for Leadership and Professional Development director Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff said Tun Razak embodied what modern discourse describes as VUCA leadership, an approach for volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous times – long before the term was coined.
Citing mechanisms such as the National Consultative Council, which brought together diverse voices after the May 13, 1969, crisis, Anis Yusal said Tun Razak’s approach to governance was inclusive and consultative.
“He restored power to the people, allowing democracy to function again after the May 13 incident.
“This is very important for all of us, especially the younger generation and students – we must understand that power, position and status are not ours to own.
“We need to recognise that we are only given the opportunity to lead and are entrusted with responsibility – and we must carry it out with care, humility and integrity,” he said.
Agreeing, Tun Razak Foundation chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said his father demonstrated that good leadership is not about accumulating power, but about managing it appropriately.
“When he was appointed director of the National Operations Council, he was given absolute power, and his first action was to appoint his deputy as a ‘check and balance’.
“And in 1971, he handed power back to Parliament (after it was suspended following the riots),” he said.
He also emphasised that Tun Razak’s legacy should not be confined to the institutions he built, but understood through the values and leadership methods behind them.
“Tun Razak’s intention was to expand his legacy from explicit achievements to implicit or intangible ones, such as his values, approach and leadership style.
“While his policies were designed for a different era, his approach to leadership remains relevant across generations,” he said.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security researcher Prof Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad said many of Tun Razak’s policies have endured because they were grounded in systems thinking, addressing interconnected issues such as poverty, land use, food security and capacity-building simultaneously.
Citing the New Economic Policy and his approach to Felda, she noted that the initiatives reflected a model that balanced economic growth with social equity, creating “win-win” outcomes across communities.
“He placed emphasis on inclusive development, and his efforts to uplift rural populations were extended to entire families through education, training and skills development.
“Ultimately, Tun Razak’s leadership offers a model for navigating today’s complex challenges,” she said.
Held to mark Tun Razak’s 50th death anniversary, the forum themed “Honouring a Legacy, Inspiring a Future” featured discussions by Nazir, Prof Abdul Rahman, Anis Yusal and Prof Fatimah, who are also contributors to the book Tun Abdul Razak: Imagining Malaysia’s Future Through His Lenses.
The forum was moderated by UM Asia-Europe Institute executive director Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah.
