A Long Political Journey: From the Golden Boy of Malaysian Politics to Malaysia’s Sixth Prime Minister
The period of a man’s journey to the top: Malaysia’s first political blue blood
Datuk Seri Najib’s political journey is a synthesis of two parts, complementary to each other; first, the stride of his long political career and, second, the crucial role he played after becoming Deputy Prime Minister.
From being the golden boy in Malaysian politics at the moment of easy victory and installation as the youngest Member of Parliament in 1976, his political achievements were stupendous for a career politician who served longer than any other politician on his journey to becoming a statesman.
Many were captivated in his leadership performance and his brilliant career in politics but some remained sceptical, as Datuk Seri Najib was perceived as an enigma. High profile blogs reporting his involvement in the murder of a Mongolian woman tainted the reputation of this second Prime Minister’s son. However, at a time when Malaysia’s politics were a mixture of intriguing stasis and flux, this was overshadowed by his loyalty to his chief executive as he stood side by side with Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, defending political opponents and trying to unite the fractious society.
Datuk Seri Najib’s leadership was a response to a call for a transition in Malaysian politics after more than a year of the opposition inspired ‘democratic tsunami’.
From improving race relations and bolstering a battered political climate, Datuk Seri Najib is a man with grassroots understanding and possesses the necessary experience for the kind of era Malaysia is entering to remain competitive. The eldest son of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister is the man that could fulfil the country’s need for a dynamic new leader with enough magnetism to unite its multi-racial population after the resignation of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
With unflinching loyalty to UMNO, a man with strength, character and experience, these hard years prepared him to shoulder greater responsibilities to improve Malaysia’s democratic process while remaining a staunch defender of UMNO’s status quo. Caught between old and new, Datuk Seri Najib’s leadership will determine the future of Malaysia and its democratic process.
Forward
As a survivor of Malaysia’s evolving politics, Datuk Seri Najib was the man who helped to weld together the current political and economic development of the country. Thirty-three years after his initial involvement in Malaysian politics, the journey to be the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, replacing Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib’s contributions were important to the potential prospects of the country’s younger generation and the future political and economic direction of the Malaysia that he would be piloting.
A comprehension of Malaysian politics and implications is negated without examining a model committed igurehead such as those demonstrated by the leadership of his late father Tun Abdul Razak. As a consequence of the country’s recent political and racial upheaval, in his final steps to become the sixth Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib was at a vital crossroads. The nation was in a precarious situation and to withstand the political turbulence it needed a strong and experienced leader who could fulfil the nation’s desire for betterment.
The world would see if the then Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib, would be that man.
The fruits of Datuk Seri Najib’s presidential leadership and experience together with his serious commitment and involvement in national policies for 28 years (1976–2004) gave him the directive to be Deputy Prime Minister in 2004. The significance of this leadership was felt even when Malaysia was facing the effect of the political tsunami that followed the general election in March 2008.
To a large extent, Datuk Seri Najib’s unmatched integrity and experienced leadership prepared the order for Malaysia’s performance economically and politically
Datuk Seri Najib at a Glance
The eldest son of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, and a nephew of Tun Hussein Onn, the third Prime Minister, this elite also titled as ‘Orang Kaya Inderapura of Pahang’ had the wheels of politics handed on a silver platter. After the nation wept its tears for the death of its beloved leader, Datuk Seri Najib’s father, Datuk Seri Najib was elected as Member of Parliament at the young age of 22, making him the youngest Member of Parliament to be elected. Datuk Seri Najib held a variety of high profile ministerial portfolios, the first at the age of 32. Datuk Seri Najib climbed the political ranks of UMNO, to some degree due to political patronage, but gained legitimacy from the partisans as a champion of national unity, the survival of the Malays and Islam, land development and poor rural and urban people and as an implementer of policies.
There had been a swift change of focus from the fifth Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his Deputy Prime Minister shortly after the former announced his decision to step down. Forging his own independent base within UMNO, Datuk Seri Najib inherited the baggage of the Government’s tainted credibility, the political threat from the strongest opposition ever since Malaysia’s independence and the alleged charges of murder, dubious defence contracts and abuse of power. Most importantly, Datuk Seri Najib faced the worst downturn in race relations in Malaysia since the 13 May 1969 national tragedy along with an economy impinged by the global crisis. His long political journey not only made him susceptible to public criticism for weakness but also praise for his strength. The pioneer of Malaysia’s National Service and Eurocopter deal displayed skilled leadership with fundamental talents and competence. Soft spoken but firm, he embarked upon reform and modernisation in education, defence and land development. His government service in five ministries, his vast network of loyalists and his own loyalty to the premier represent a restoration of confidence as Malaysia struggled for its dignity and direction.
For the man who believed that ‘every Malaysian has a place in the sun’, the aristocrat who was expected to steer the wheels handed to him on a silver platter, would need to determine Malaysia’s need for a balanced society; creative, innovative, and socially and economically vibrant. The country dubbed as ‘a nation with first class infrastructure but with a third world mentality’, Datuk Seri Najib’s elemental challenge is to strike a balance between defending the political status quo and recouping Malaysia’s democratic, racial, economic and moral struggles.
A Tribute to Tun Abdul Razak
The foundation laid for the path of Malaysia’s development in the economic, social and political arena can ultimately be rooted back to the era of Tun Abdul Razak’s tenureship. Almost every aspect of Malaysian life, including our pledge in the Rukun Negara, can be traced back to his policies. One significant facet that now remains highly significant is his living asset, his eldest son, who inherited not only his political abilities but also his vision. This bequest is Malaysia’s sixth Prime Minister.In his short life of 54 years, Tun Abdul Razak faced many challenging encounters including the struggle of the Japanese occupation during the Second World War, the struggle to unite the Malays, the struggle to achieve independence, the struggle of the blood brotherhood of Malaysia-Indonesia, the struggle of the 13 May racial tragedy and the struggle to uplift the economy. As he faced these struggles like a man of steel and courage, he left trails of legacies including economic re-structuring (the New Economic Policy – NEP), political reform (Barisan Nasional), national security and foreign policy. His legendary inheritance – MARA University of Technology (UiTM) – resuscitates the bleeding economic and educational disparity of the Malays and non-Malays.
show their last respects and love. His body lay proudly, as proud as the Grand Hall of the Parliament building itself and was finally laid to rest in the Warriors Mausoleum in the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur. His heartbeat and blood, Tun Hajah Rahah and five children prayed and mourned with his beloved people for the death of a hero. Tun Abdul Razak was known as the ‘Father of Development’ and ‘Father of Peace’. Thirty-three years later, he would be aHowever, on 14 January 1976, this patriot was unable to realise the fruits of his long-term plans as he succumbed to leukaemia in a London clinic. His body was flown home with tens of thousands pairs of tearful eyes glued to their black and white televisions. An assembly of poignant humanity, no matter the race and age, lined the streets leading to the Parliament to proud father, the father of a son who would step into his shoes as Malaysia’s sixth Prime Minister.
Preface
In 1976, still grieving over the death of his father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, a 22-year-old Datuk Seri Najib, fresh out of university, was thrust into the turbulent world of politics when he was solicited to contest the Pekan Parliament constituency. This was the starting point of a young politician who subsequently developed an accomplished career in Malaysian politics As the son of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib was born into the limelight of Malaysian politics. Datuk Seri Najib grew up watching his father and mastered the games and traits of mainstream politics. Instantly, he knew he wanted to serve his community and country. But the untimely passing of his father on 14 January 1976, at the age of 54, suddenly thrust Datuk Seri Najib into the spotlight. Five weeks after his father’s passing, Datuk Seri Najib, was elected to fill the Pekan vacancy, becoming the youngest Member of Parliament in Malaysian history. His involvement in politics was principally on the persuasion of the Pahang Monarchy, his father’s dear friend, Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Datuk Seri Najib quickly adapted to public life as a Member of Parliament, and soon found that the art of politics was his natural talent. Within a short time, the young Datuk Seri Najib showed that he was a credible and capable politician and a leader in his own name. In his first year as a Member of Parliament he was appointed Energy, Telecommunications and Posts Deputy Minister, and later served as Education and Finance Deputy Minister.
At the age of 29, Datuk Seri Najib’s first validation came in 1982 when the nation’s then new Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad sent him to contest the State Assembly seat of Pekan, to enable him to become the Pahang Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of the biggest State in Peninsular Malaysia. Pahang was at the time on the verge of a political crisis due to serious differences between the previous Menteri Besar and the Sultan of Pahang. But Datuk Seri Najib was not only a rising political star, he was one of the Four Noblemen of the Pahang Royal Court (by virtue of his inherited title as the Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar) and the Palace warmly welcomed him. The crisis quickly abated.
In the four years as Pahang Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), Datuk Seri Najib ensured the unity of Pahang UMNO, whilst focusing on developing the State. Among other things, he embarked on measures to strengthen education in the State, by playing an instrumental role in the establishment of Yayasan Pahang in 1982, a foundation dedicated to promoting the development of education and sports among the youth of Pahang through scholarships and funds. He strengthened the State’s enterprises to maximise earnings from Pahang’s abundant natural resources. In cooperation with FELDA (the Federal Land Development Authority) he paved the way for the establishment of new land settlement schemes, thus, providing new income opportunities for those who were landless and in the lower income group. In the general election of 1986 Datuk Seri Najib was returned as the Member of Parliament for Pekan, and was appointed as Culture, Youth and Sports Minister. He immediately focused on improving Malaysian sports and introduced the National Sports Policy in 1988. In 1989 Malaysia achieved its best-ever performance at the South East Asia (SEA) Games, which were held that year in Kuala Lumpur.In 1991, Datuk Seri Najib was appointed Defence Minister. He revitalised a Ministry that was seen as lethargic and languid, and modernised the Malaysian Armed Forces through strategic capability enhancement, procurements and exercises. In 1995, Datuk Seri Najib was appointed Education Minister. His challenge was to respond to Malaysia’s newly proclaimed aspiration to become a fully developed nation by the year 2020. During his five-year tenure, Datuk Seri Najib put into place the mechanisms that would enable the younger generation of Malaysians to meet the challenges of the future. He restructured the Ministry, corporatized the public universities, and encouraged collaboration with foreign universities and institutions. This provided more educational opportunities for Malaysians and placed Malaysia as a regional learning hub. Datuk Seri Najib also upgraded teaching certificates to the status of diplomas, so that teachers in that category would receive a higher monthly preliminary salary.
In 1999, following the political turmoil of the year before, Datuk Seri Najib won re-election to his Pekan Parliamentary seat. He was then appointed as Defence Minister for the second time and resumed his efforts to again improve and modernise the Malaysian Armed Forces. Upon his appointment in 2004 as Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib was given a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including oversight of FELDA. He also chaired almost 30 Cabinet committees, which presided over a wide range of issues.
Datuk Seri Najib became Malaysia’s ninth Deputy Prime Minister, 47 years after his father the late Tun Abd Razak was appointed to the same position in 1957. For many, Datuk Seri Najib’s ascension to the second highest office came as no surprise. He was one of the most senior members of the Cabinet and had garnered the highest votes in the race for UMNO vice-president in the two consecutive Party elections (1996 and 2000). Indeed, many regard Datuk Seri Najib’s rise as a matterof destiny. He was the son of the nation’s second Prime Minister, one of Malaysia’s most illustrious leaders. He was thrust into the limelight at a very young age upon the passing of Tun Abdul Razak, and he had proven himself as an able leader at both state and federal levels over the years.
Now, Datuk Seri Najib is the country’s sixth Prime Minister, 39 years after his father was appointed as the nation’s second Prime Minister in 1970 to replace Tunku Abdul Rahman. Politics are evidently in his blood.