Abdul Razak Hussein
Who was Abdul Razak Hussein?
Malaysia's 2nd Prime Minister (1970-1976) who introduced the New Economic Policy to address racial inequality and died in office at age 53.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Abdul Razak Hussein (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Abdul Razak bin Hussein was born on March 11, 1922, in Kampung Pulau Keladi and became Malaysia's second prime minister, serving from 1970 until his death on January 14, 1976, in London. He was a trained lawyer who studied at Universiti Malaya and earned the nickname "Father of Development" for his economic and social policies that changed Malaysian society. Before becoming prime minister, he served as Malaysia's first deputy prime minister from 1957 to 1970, working closely with the country's founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
As prime minister, Abdul Razak introduced the New Economic Policy in 1971, a major program aimed at addressing racial tensions and economic differences between ethnic communities, particularly after the racial riots of May 13, 1969. The policy aimed to reduce poverty regardless of race while restructuring society to separate race from economic roles. This marked a big change in Malaysian governance, moving from a hands-off approach to more government involvement in the economy.
Abdul Razak also made significant changes to Malaysia's foreign policy, moving from a pro-Western approach to one of neutrality and non-alignment. Under his leadership, Malaysia joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1970 and established diplomatic relations with China in 1974, becoming one of the first ASEAN countries to do so. He promoted the idea of Southeast Asia as a Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality, which became a key part of regional diplomacy.
In domestic politics, Abdul Razak founded the Barisan Nasional coalition in 1974, bringing together various political parties to ensure political stability. This coalition governed Malaysia continuously for 44 years until 2018. His efforts to build consensus and maintain unity were recognized internationally when he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1967 for government service. He was also honored with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm in 1959. Abdul Razak was married to Rahah Noah, and his eldest son, Najib Razak, later became Malaysia's sixth prime minister in 2009.
Before Fame
Abdul Razak grew up in Malaya during the British colonial period and went to local schools before attending Universiti Malaya. As a young lawyer, he got involved in the independence movement and joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). His legal skills and political savvy helped him rise quickly in the organization.
His early political career aligned with Malaya's shift towards independence, and he was vital in negotiating and preparing for self-governance. His legal knowledge and grasp of constitutional issues made him a key player in the independence movement, setting him up as one of the important leaders shaping the new nation's future.
Key Achievements
- Launched the New Economic Policy to address racial inequality and poverty
- Founded the Barisan Nasional political coalition that governed Malaysia for 44 years
- Shifted Malaysia's foreign policy to neutrality and joined the Non-Aligned Movement
- Established diplomatic relations with China in 1974
- Created FELDA to provide land and opportunities for rural Malays
Did You Know?
- 01.He was the first Malaysian leader to visit China, establishing diplomatic relations in 1974 and meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong
- 02.Abdul Razak died in office at the age of 53 while receiving medical treatment in London for leukemia
- 03.He established the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) which became one of the world's largest palm oil plantation operators
- 04.His administration introduced Malaysia's first five-year development plans, known as the Malaysia Plans
- 05.The Razak Report of 1956, which he authored, became the foundation for Malaysia's national education system
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ramon Magsaysay Award | 1967 | — |
| Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm | 1959 | — |