Abdul Razak Hussein was principally responsible in the 1970s for economic development, national unity and nation-building and was very instrumental and authored the New Economic Policy which continues to date, and which policies possess its own peculiar setbacks and has invited considerable criticisms on its implementation.

However the effort and those various measures initiated and employed then in the pursuit of the New Economic Policy have since encouraged greater participation of the bumiputras in the present economic sectors.

The racial riots on May 13,1969 effectively challenged all national policies which precipitated the formulation of the New Economic Policy so as to ensure an equilibrium in the distribution of national wealth. By reason of the racial riots Abdul Razak had to suspend Parliament but power was returned to Parliament after four years.

While the racial riots caused deterioration in the political situation and despite having moved away from the shackles of the riots, there are today some ultra-nationalists who still continue to make derogatory and racists remarks and slurs which has infuriated some and steadily endangered the concept of Malaysian Malaysia that Tunku Abdul Rahman and Abdul Razak promoted and were keen to create.

While Malaysians today are continuing to fight for a Malaysian Malaysia, there are many who do not understand the depth of these sentiments engineered then by these outstanding statesmen. Despite those efforts to unite, we find it ever so difficult before and now to extricate ourselves from the communal policies.

Like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak cultivated and promoted diverse cultures and religions, which consequently promoted stability and the continuity of the country. This political liberalism employed by our forefathers helped to destroy the internal communist insurgencies and subversive communist threats.

Despite all that effort and struggle, governing a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious unity in Malaysia seems today ever so difficult. Yes we have emerged to become a progressive nation and can take confidently serious tasks, roles and responsibilities, but we are still troubled by abuse of power, corruption, prejudice, fundamentalism, extremism, radicalism and racism.

We must be sensitive to these threats if we desire success and we must never bow to political preference or religions persuasion, said Abdul Razak. We must promote our distinctive values, embrace fellow Malaysians with the warmest of hospitality and respect.

It was a tragedy to have lost Abdul Razak on Jan 14, 1976 but he will continue to remain the hero of the people. Let us remind ourselves, Abdul Razak’s urging “for unity amid diversity in our multiracial society” remains very relevant today.

As a country with a proactive attitude and in the midst of grave difficulties and enormous challenges, Abdul Razak was always confident we could succeed. Let us all work in that direction.

R KENGADHARAN is a lawyer and an ex-ISA detainee.