Remembering Tun Razak: From the eyes of former close aide, Dollah Kok Lanas

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1. It is amazing and wonderful how the name Tun Razak suddenly, after a benign neglect for the past four decades, evokes so much good will amongst a wide spectrum of people - people who really worked with and for him and those who may have, albeit, very briefly.

Then there are those who think and claim they knew him well but in reality only casually or from secondary or third sources. And the ones who may not even have met him!

2. Tun Razak left us suddenly and prematurely four decades ago today. He was a towering figure in the twentieth century Malaya and Malaysia, instrumental in persuading the reluctant Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra to take up the leadership of UMNO in 1951 which led the party to the corridors of power until now. The Tun worked hard and closely alongside the Tunku for 19 years and was respected and revered for his proverbial patience, loyalty and intelligence.

He was not, by any means, an intellectual per se, but more importantly, he was adored for his even temperament, good judgement and for spotting talent.

Tun Razak compared to Tunku had a talented team of young, capable, selfless and dependable aides who gave more than they received and genuinely tried to make Malaysia a better place for all Malaysians whose loyalty was undivided.

3. The Thirteenth May 1969 tragedy was thrust upon him. This incredibly shy and reticent leader, not as charismatic as the Tunku but blessed with a natural sharp sense of power knew what would work and what would not, brought the incident speedily to an end. This surprised many people.

For him it was better to be underestimated time and again. People tend to overlook the fact that he was a first grade, British - trained administration. The British spotted his leadership talent when he was still at MCKK in the 30s.

4. Following the dissolution of NOC government, Tun Razak's main concern was to make sure the traumatic tragedy would not recur.

There has been reason to wonder whether Malaysia could continue to exist as an interracial, united nation despite he had already become the undisputed and indispensable leader in managing the nation's perennial ethnic problems.

So this time Tun Razak made his stand very clear, come what may: to form a unity government comprising all political parties. The UMNO ultra-conservatives opposed it; only the DAP declined to take part unless it dominated the proposed new government and the principle of Malaysian Malaysia was adopted.

We first began with coalition governments in various states - Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, Trengganu, Selangor and Sarawak, followed by the establishment of Barisan Nasional and our diplomatic relationship with People's Republic of China in 1974.

5. People have asked me why was Tun Razak in a hurry, when there was no credible challenge, for him to restore Parliamentary democracy? I think, then and now, because of his fundamental democratic instinct. He felt it was the right thing to do. Tun Razak's leadership was not tested because the majority of the people had followed him. Besides there were more other factors, internal and external. He did more than most Malaysian politicians would have dared. Peace and stability prevailed until Pas was expelled in late seventies.

6. Until he introduced the New Economic Policy and the restructuring of society and strengthening the Social Contract, Malaysia was run, by and large, by politicians, business people and civil servants for themselves.

Their excesses, compounded by the privation, deprivation and exploitation made the rakyat very angry and restless. That was one of the major reasons for the May Thirteenth incident. Looking back I wondered why it had not happened earlier. The situation has improved a bit but unfortunately the excesses go unabated, until now.

7. The political consensus Tun Razak built is now under dire threat. His successors have brought out the worst of arrogance in their abuse of power. Some of their actions must have made Tun Razak to roll in his grave as the expression goes.

8. Tun Razak was the individual who has had the greatest influence on Malaysian politics and life in the seventies. It is my fervent prayer that a sense of Tun Razak's dignity, generosity, compassion and humility and non-corruptibility and honesty will become an increasingly important part of our political life and government.

Despite our brief history we have been blessed with many talented and remarkable men and women who gave more than they received. They strived hard to make Malaysia a better place for all.

9. I worked for him and with him continuously for fourteen years - from the day I returned from the United States in 1962 until he died on 14 January 1976. Tun Razak was unbelievably well-organised... a realist who would do what was right than what was convenient, a unique mix of adat dan kesopanan Melayu yang terbaik and Western civilisation.

Arguably, the Melayu who upheld Malay and Islamic traditions also respected justice, equality and talent. He was always striving to unite the east and west and the best of Bangsa Melayu and Bangsa Malaysia.

10. Tun Razak's world and Malaysia seem so far away. I hazard to guess his legacy will serve as a catalyst for the emergence of a new political force - allied or non-allied- in the run-up of the next general election. The result can be or could be very different than previous polls. Much, of course, depends on what would be the situation then. For sure, all parties will be battling for balance.

11. What made Tun Razak so respected by the rakyat and amongst those in the rural areas especially? They found him a powerful leader, a real Mr Clean and at the same time, humble and approachable.

It is sad, very sad indeed that after four decades of his passing, not a single decent, credible and authoritative -let alone definitive- biography on the Man has been published. Until this happens, the accounting and auditing of Tun Razak's colossal contributions cannot even begin, let alone claiming the accounting is not yet finished.

I hope before the 50th anniversary of his passing, this book will become a reality. This colossus of a man deserves this.