Najib reads poem on his public service journey

Najib (second from right) at the launch of a book on his four decades in politics, which was officiated by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (second from left). Also present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Prof Datuk Seri Dr Khairil Annas Jusoh (left).

KUALA LUMPUR: Instead of delivering a speech as he usually does at public events, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak broke from the norm when he read out a poem to recount his long journey in public service.

The Prime Minister was attending the launch of a book on his four decades in politics, which was officiated by his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

After Abdullah had given his opening speech and launched the book “Najib Razak, Four Decades in Leadership and Politics (Najib Razak Berijwa Besar Empat Dekad Menongkah Arus Kepimpinan dan Politik),” the Prime Minister was then invited to deliver a poem.

Entitled “Coretan Empat Dekad (Jottings on Four Decades)", Najib recounted the trials and tribulations which he faced throughout his career as a politician, from when he first won the Pekan parliamentary seat uncontested on Feb 21, 1976, right up to his current experiences as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister.

Reading the poem, Najib said:

“A mountain of responsibilities has been placed upon me by the rakyat,

“But the blood that flows in my veins, teaches me to be to be magnanimous,

“In politics, never have I caused the downfall of anyone,

“And never will I forget my oath of loyalty to my leaders before me.”

The book is published by the Foundation for Research on Transformation (FORT), and was written by Prof Datuk Seri Dr Khairi Annas Jusoh and Dr Sabri Mohamad Sharif.