Fierce-fully Rafidah

Rafidah made a promise in her memoir: As long as she lives, she will continue to speak out. – KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

Written during the Covid-19 lockdown, Rafidah Aziz’s memoir shares her exciting moments and heartbreaks in an over 30-year political and public service career.

TAN SRI Rafidah Aziz makes no apologies for being a fierce person and a slave driver as some people would describe her. If you are on the receiving end, you will just have to bear with it. But behind that steely persona, Rafidah is a very warm person.

At her autobiography launch by Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah last Thursday, Rafidah was her usual witty self in her speech and to the point. She was reading out her speech written in her cakar ayam (scrawly) handwriting.

“This entire autobiography was written in longhand in old school exercise books by me. There was no ghostwriter, I was the ghost,” she quipped, holding up the exercise books for her guests to see.

Just a few months ago she was infected with Covid-19. She is still experiencing the effects of Covid with nerve pain in her hands and feet, and suffering from shortness of breath. But even during hospitalisation in the Critical Care Unit, it did not stop her from sending long messages to her friends, sharing her concern for the future of the nation. When this writer queried on her health back then, Rafidah sent a selfie from her hospital bed with a big smile!

Rapid-Fire Rafidah: Being Malaysian First is her autobiography which she decided to pen down she said, after former journalist Datuk Hardev Kaur “egged me on” during the long Covid lockdown. Hardev told this writer that “Rafidah used to nag us, so now it is my turn to nag her to write.”

The memoir gives another perspective of the 79-year-old trailblazer, including an insight into her role as a daughter, wife and mother. – The Star

So much has been written on this trailblazer over the years, partly because she was the longest serving Trade and Industry Minister, for 21 years, and Wanita Umno Chief. She was widely sought after by the media at international meetings because she made good soundbites. For us the media following the Prime Minister during working trips abroad, Rafidah, one of the accompanying Cabinet ministers, would be our reference point on trade matters and no matter how packed her itinerary was, she would make time for us.

If she invited you for a briefing or for makan at some restaurants during these trips, you would not want to miss it. But get ready for long sessions of “not-for-reporting information”. These stories were interesting enough and she gave you the perspective and understanding, the inside stories and what happened behind the scenes.

For those who have worked closely with her, like Transport Ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, Rafidah taught them to be objective, respectful and humble.

“It was a challenge no doubt but as along as you think and plan ahead, you wont go wrong. If you made it three years with her, you are ready to face any challenges,” said Isham who was her special officer at the Trade and Industry Ministry for three years from 2003.

This entire autobiography was written in longhand in old school exercise books, says Rafidah.

Sultan Nazrin, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim at the book launch, gave a glowing tribute to Rafidah who comes from his state and acknowledged her outstanding contribution to the growth and development of not only his state but also Malaysia.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali were also present. It was Dr Mahathir who aptly introduced her as the Rapid-Fire Rafidah to foreign dignitaries.

Sultan Nazrin gave a rundown of Rafidah’s autobiography and that her diverse multicultural perspective started from childhood – from Kampung Baru Malay Girls School, Convent Bukit Nanas (which her grandfather insisted was a Christian school), Singapore Science Institute and Victoria Institution – without undermining her Islamic religious values.

“She paints an appealing picture of those days, when little emphasis was put on ethnic differences, and instead we all shared in each others’ events.

“This shared multicultural heritage has greatly enriched us as a nation and not just in our festivals and our food, to the benefit of us all,” Sultan Nazrin said.

The Sultan of Perak ended his speech with a reminder that Malaysia will not be destroyed by war but it could potentially be destroyed by common enemies which pose dangerous threats such as toxic and negative minds, destructive attitudes and greed, which runs contrary to moral values, leading to corruption and abuse of power.

Sound familiar? Perhaps this memoir can be a guide to the younger generation, especially politician wannabes or even for those who are already in Cabinet in the new administration.

The soft copy of the autobiography has been sold out before the launch and the hardcopies were quickly snapped up at the event.

Read the book. No spoilers on the content. It is the other side of the 79-year-old Rafidah, that rare towering personality that you might have liked and not someone to fear. She also gave an insight into her role as a daughter, wife and mother.

And she made a promise in her memoir: As long as she lives, she will continue to speak out and maybe you better listen to her!