Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was overcome with emotion as he paid homage to his father, the country's second prime minister, Abdul Razak Hussein.

"Today, 40 years after his passing, I stand before you to say that I am proud to be his son," a teary-eyed Najib said while reading his speech.

"Every day, I work to live up to that lineage. He is an example for me, and an inspiration to all Malaysians," he added.

Najib was speaking at an event to commemorate Razak's passing in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier in his speech, Najib said Razak's policies are being continued and improved on by his administration.

This includes affirmative bumiputera action, as under the New Economic Policy (NEP).

"We are still fighting for that cause today. We argued for its inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, and this was accepted," Najib said, noting that it was a remarkable achievement.

Other Razak initiatives the government is still working on, Najib said, include strengthening ties with Asean as well as with China.

Razak was second prime minister from 1970 until 1976. He died while being treated for leukaemia in the United Kingdom.