Abdul Razak Hussein
As Malaysia's second Prime Minister, he architectured the country's modern economic blueprint and national unity policy following a period of racial strife.
1922–1976 (age 54)·Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1970 to 1976·Birthday: March 11·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Tun Abdul Razak Hussein stepped into leadership during Malaysia's most fragile hour. Following the racial riots of 1969 and the retirement of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Razak became Prime Minister in 1970 with a mandate to heal and rebuild. A pragmatic and disciplined administrator, he shifted the nation's focus squarely to economic development and social restructuring. His signature policy, the New Economic Policy (NEP), sought to eradicate poverty and restructure society to correct economic imbalances between ethnic groups. He aggressively pursued rural development, establishing institutions like FELDA to settle landless farmers, and laid the groundwork for Malaysia's industrialization. On the international stage, he was a founding father of ASEAN and forged a non-aligned foreign policy, establishing diplomatic relations with China. His tenure, though cut short by his death from leukemia, transformed Malaysia's trajectory, earning him the posthumous title 'Bapa Pembangunan'—Father of Development.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Abdul was born in 1922, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Abdul Was Born
The biggest hits of 1922
#1 Movie
Robin Hood
Abdul's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1922Born
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1927Started school
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1935Became a teenager
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Could drive
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1940Could vote
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Turned 21
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1952Turned 30
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1962Turned 40
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 50
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1976Died at 54
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
Key Achievements
- Launched the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971, a comprehensive socio-economic framework aimed at poverty eradication and societal restructuring.
- Served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970, helping to steer the young nation after independence.
- Play a key role in the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967.
- Established the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), a massive resettlement scheme that became a model for rural poverty alleviation.
Did You Know?
He was the father of Najib Razak, who also later became Prime Minister of Malaysia.
He studied law at Lincoln's Inn in London and was called to the English Bar.
During World War II, he was part of the anti-Japanese resistance force, Force 136, in then-Malaya.
““The great challenge before us is to create a united, harmonious and prosperous Malaysia.””
