Abdul Razak Hussein

Abdul Razak Hussein, born on March 11, 1922, was a prominent Malaysian lawyer and politician who made significant contributions to the nation's development. He served as the second prime minister of Malaysia from 1970 until his untimely death in 1976, following a distinguished tenure as the first deputy prime minister from 1957 to 1970. His leadership earned him the title of the 'Father of Development' or 'Bapa Pembangunan' in Malaysia.

During his time in office, Abdul Razak initiated the Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP), a groundbreaking program designed to address and reduce socioeconomic disparities among various ethnic communities, particularly between the Malays and the Chinese. His administration also marked a pivotal shift in Malaysia's foreign policy, moving away from a pro-Western and anti-Communist stance to a more neutral position, culminating in the country's membership in the Non-Aligned Movement in 1970.

In addition to his economic and foreign policy reforms, Abdul Razak was instrumental in establishing Barisan Nasional (BN), a political coalition that maintained uninterrupted power from its formation in 1974 until 2018. His legacy continues to influence Malaysian politics and development.

Abdul Razak's family also played a significant role in the political landscape of Malaysia. His eldest son, Najib Razak, ascended to the position of the sixth prime minister in 2009, although he later became embroiled in controversy due to his involvement in the one Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal, which resulted in multiple convictions for corruption, abuse of power, and money laundering.