By TNS Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 – As Malaysia celebrates its 67th year of independence on Aug 31st, former Minister of International Trade and Industry and former Head of Wanita UMNO, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, reflects on the nation’s journey and emphasizes the importance of unity and forward-thinking policies for continued progress.
ON REACHING 67 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE…
“Many of the younger generation may not remember, or were not born yet, when our nation gained its status of independence from the British, to whom our nation was a colony,” said Rafidah.
“What is important to always remind them is that achieving independence, or Merdeka, meant self-rule and the determination of the future of our nation and society by ourselves.”
She highlighted the nation’s progress, attributing it to the grace of the Almighty, and stressed the need for continuous planning and execution of policies to stay on par, if not ahead, of other nations.
“Just as in the case of other nations, there have been negative headwind effects of regional and global geopolitical conflicts which affected our economy and society… and certainly, we can expect there to be more to come,” said Rafidah.
She served as the Minister of International Trade and Industry from 1987 to 2008, making her the longest-serving minister in that role. Throughout her tenure, she was instrumental in positioning Malaysia as a prime location for foreign investment and significantly boosting the nation’s trade relationships.
Renowned for her strong leadership and candid demeanor, Rafidah has played a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s economic policies and championing women’s rights in the political arena.
Her impactful contributions have significantly influenced Malaysia’s development, and she remains a respected and influential voice in the nation’s political and economic discussions.
Rafidah emphasized the critical elements for nation-building, particularly the unity of common purpose.
She said this must be upheld in all spheres, especially in politics. It must henceforth be politics for national development, bearing in mind that nation-building is not merely the ‘bricks and mortar’ and provision of facilities for the rakyat.
The former minister also called for the strengthening of good core societal values among both the governed and those who govern.
“There must be that strong public service element in governance… not merely operating with the very short-term perspective of politics and general elections… and allowing almost whimsical objectives to determine ‘coalitions’,” she added.
Rafidah also warned against “touch and go” politics and stressed the need for credibility and long-term sustainability in policies and measures.
“It is not about ‘taking credit’ for this, that, and the other. It is collective responsibility to ensure that there are real benefits received by the rakyat in all spheres, mainly in the social and economic.”
She also underscored the importance of nurturing the young to forge a strong grounding in love for the nation and respect for Malaysian diversities. “We must free ourselves from any tendencies that can only set our nation and society back… especially mindsets and attitudes which cause divisiveness and fractiousness.”
In closing, Rafidah called for maturity as a people of a “Merdeka” nation, capable of determining what is good and bad, and what is right and wrong for Malaysia.
“Sejahtera Malaysia Kita,” she concluded.
- TNS News