KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah today launched a book entitled Tun Abdul Razak: Imagining Malaysia’s Future Through His Lenses.
The book honours the legacy of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak, also known as the country’s Father of Development.
Co-edited by Distinguished Prof Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah, Tan Sri Kamal Salih, Assoc Prof Dr Hafriza Burhanudeen, and Mohamed Tawfik Tun Dr Ismail, the book provides a valuable new perspective on Tun Razak’s contributions and underscores the enduring relevance of his policies, decisions, and actions for Malaysia’s progress.
Sultan Nazrin, in his royal address at the book launch, welcomed the approach in the publication of the book, which draws inspiration from Tun Razak to help readers navigate today’s challenging times.
“It is both a fitting legacy to our Father of Development, as well as being highly constructive,” he said.
The book launch was also graced by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Tun Razak Foundation chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak.
Sultan Nazrin said the book highlights one crucial lesson; the importance of embracing a long-term approach to development.
“Tun Razak dedicated his entire life to public service. From the moment he first took up public office in the 1950s until his untimely death in 1976, he worked tirelessly on what one might call the nuts and bolts of our development,” said the Perak Sultan.
His Royal Highness said that the fourteen chapters of the book also shed light on key policy choices and dilemmas Malaysia faces nowadays and will encounter in an uncertain future, and also provide insights across various fields, from agronomy to education, and emphasises leveraging technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), to strengthen universities.
“The book has, in short, a grand and progressive vision for Malaysia. It also provides guidance for the detailed, practical action needed to realise this – the mixture of hard work and innovation needed to achieve it. That, truly, is the spirit of Tun Razak.
“One phrase that particularly stood out for me was the book’s call for a 'spirit of continuous appraisal and recalibration' in our ongoing development journey,” Sultan Nazrin said.
The Perak Ruler said this reflects Tun Razak’s understanding that creating a united Malaysia requires "adjustments and re-adjustments," a reminder that, however bold or brilliant, a grand plan remains only a plan.
His Royal Highness said that Tun Razak is also remembered as a peace-maker who promoted reconciliation domestically, regionally, and internationally, building bridges across Malaysia’s communities, in bilateral relations, and through regional initiatives.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of his most significant legacies, the opening of diplomatic relations with China, the first country in Southeast Asia to do so."
As part of his vision for a peaceful and prosperous global future, Tun Razak advocated for the region’s neutrality,” Sultan Nazrin said, adding that the publication of the book is a timely contribution to current debates on addressing the daunting challenges of today.