Tun Rahah and Tun Razak with their sons, Najib (second right) and Ahmad Johari. - Photo from Tun Razak: Profile Of A Patriot by Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak shed tears as he expressed how proud he was to be the son of one of Malaysia’s most celebrated leaders, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
Najib was about to end his speech at a Special Commemorative Seminar on Tun Razak here and was talking about his father’s legacy as the country’s Father of Development, when he became emotional.
Struggling to hold back his tears and in a voice choking with emotion, Najib said:
“He gave his life for this country. Today, 40 years after his passing, I stand before you and say that I am proud to be his son, and that every day, I work to live up to that lineage.
“He is an example for me, and an inspiration for all Malaysians.”
After he regained his composure, Najib ended his speech by saying that Tun Razak was an example not just for him personally, but for all Malaysians, drawing applause from the audience.
Tun Razak, who succeeded Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra as Prime Minister, died in office at the age of 54 on Jan 14, 1976.
During his tenure as the country’s leader, Tun Razak left behind many lasting policies and set up numerous institutions that lay the foundations for modern day Malaysia.
