Tun Razak’s Warning: Communalism, Corruption Remain National Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR: Two of the three warnings issued by the second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein – namely communalism and corruption – remain challenges to the nation to this day.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Tun Abdul Razak, during the 1970s, had identified three major challenges that could threaten the country: communism, communalism and corruption.

He said these reminders should not be viewed merely as historical records, but rather should serve as guidance for the new generation in ensuring the nation’s stability and future remain safeguarded.

“The first ‘C’ is communism. The second ‘C’ is communalism. The third – imagine, in the 1970s, Tun Razak mentioned the third dangerous threat to the country, which is corruption – those are the 3Cs.

“Communism is no longer present, but the ideology of communalism remains entrenched, and corruption continues to be one of the major problems,” he said during the Program Mengenang Negarawan Tun Abdul Razak, ‘Arkitek Pembangunan Negara Bangsa’ (Commemorating the Statesman Tun Abdul Razak, ‘Architect of National Development’) at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial, Jalan Perdana here today.

Anwar said the threat of communism in the form of armed insurgency no longer exists, but society must remain vigilant against foreign ideologies that could influence the thinking of the new generation.

He said communalism remains a challenge because Malaysian society is multi-ethnic and easily drawn into racial sentiments if not kept in check.

“Tun Razak described communalism as a complex process because the country has a diversity of races, and the people are easily dragged into strong racial sentiments.

“He (Tun Razak) often advised, including us as Malay student leaders, about the threat of understandings that deviate from the spirit of Malay nationalism, which could descend into narrow communalism,” he said.

Anwar said Tun Abdul Razak’s message regarding corruption must also continue to be remembered by the younger generation, especially when they begin to hold positions and are entrusted with responsibilities.

He also recalled Tun Abdul Razak’s speech, in which he once reminded the youth that their stance against corruption could become lax once one attains power.

“All of you now, as young people, oppose corruption, reject it strongly because no one wants to bribe you yet. But once you are in power, that resolve begins to waver,” he said.

According to him, the younger generation needs to understand Tun Abdul Razak’s thinking so that they do not merely remember the statesman as part of the country’s history.

He said efforts to honour Tun Abdul Razak’s contributions should also revive the ideas and spirit of struggle of the late leader to serve as guidance for today’s generation.

“Young people especially should look at this. How can we elevate the dignity of this nation and country by internalising and appreciating several of Tun Abdul Razak’s messages.

“Not merely as nostalgia recalling past experiences, but to rekindle the torch of the spirit of the struggle of the past,” he said.

Utusan Malaysia