Malaysia Indepedence countdown: When Razak said ‘no’ to swimming pool
August 28th 2007 05:33
Article extracted from News Straits Times Malaysia
By : Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: An ongoing marathon 50-hour forum here learned yesterday why Malaysia’s second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, had called off a plan to build a swimming pool at his official residence.
Razak had felt that the estimated RM60,000 to be spent on the construction of the swimming pool could be better used in building three rural health clinics.
This episode from the past was related by Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini, chairman of Bernama, at the Merdeka Forum "Sembang-Sembang Kopi ‘O’ Nasi Lemak" organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Federation of National Writers Associations of Malaysia (Gapena) at Rumah Gapena.
The forum began at 8.35pm yesterday.
Annuar said the move to build a swimming pool arose after Razak felt guilty about using the Lake Gardens’ swimming pool, which had to be closed to the public each time he went there for a swim.
Razak’s decision to forego the private swimming pool in the interest of the people reflected his high degree of integrity, Annuar said, adding that he could have gone ahead and built the pool without the people’s knowledge.
Annuar said integrity was an important component of a leader and the quality should be fostered at home and in schools.
He said the people should appreciate a leader’s sacrifices to the country without being weighed down by certain interests.
"Quite often we fail to see the deeds of a person when that individual is not from the same camp (in terms of political beliefs and other factors)."
By : Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: An ongoing marathon 50-hour forum here learned yesterday why Malaysia’s second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, had called off a plan to build a swimming pool at his official residence.
Razak had felt that the estimated RM60,000 to be spent on the construction of the swimming pool could be better used in building three rural health clinics.
This episode from the past was related by Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini, chairman of Bernama, at the Merdeka Forum "Sembang-Sembang Kopi ‘O’ Nasi Lemak" organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Federation of National Writers Associations of Malaysia (Gapena) at Rumah Gapena.
The forum began at 8.35pm yesterday.
Annuar said the move to build a swimming pool arose after Razak felt guilty about using the Lake Gardens’ swimming pool, which had to be closed to the public each time he went there for a swim.
Razak’s decision to forego the private swimming pool in the interest of the people reflected his high degree of integrity, Annuar said, adding that he could have gone ahead and built the pool without the people’s knowledge.
Annuar said integrity was an important component of a leader and the quality should be fostered at home and in schools.
He said the people should appreciate a leader’s sacrifices to the country without being weighed down by certain interests.
"Quite often we fail to see the deeds of a person when that individual is not from the same camp (in terms of political beliefs and other factors)."
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Comment by D. Armenta
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So true!!
Former prime minister Razak really did those things? Such a man has great regard and love for the people in his country..that is so rare.