KUALA LUMPUR – In the 1950s, long before China became a global superpower, Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid had already predicted that the republic would go on to become one of the world’s leading economic players.
And it was this which inspired the education and economics icon to transfer his daughter – former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz – to a Chinese school midway through her primary education.
Sharing some insights into the private life of the late academician during an online ceremony by Universiti Malaya to commemorate his passing, Zeti recalled how Ungku Abdul Aziz had always been one who was able to predict the future, especially on matters close to his heart.
“In 1958, prior to moving to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore, my father transferred me from a convent primary school to a Singapore Chinese girl school,” she said in a video-recorded speech.
“He told me that one day, China will be a very important country and that I should learn to speak Mandarin. Indeed, he was a man with great foresight.
“When we later arrived in Kuala Lumpur, my education resumed at a convent school here – but my learning of Mandarin continued with a private tutor, until I reached Form 3. At the time, I became fluent, and was able to write a one-page daily diary in Mandarin, as well as being able to read the more abbreviated Chinese newspapers,” she added.
Zeti also noted how Ungku Abdul Aziz had foresight on the importance of financial inclusion involving the rural population – decades before it became an important issue in the country. She pointed out his paper titled The Mobilisation of Rural Savings presented in 1952 in Bangkok during a conference was the initial spark that led to eventual establishment of pilgrims' fund Tabung Haji (TH).
“He mentioned in his paper that during the period of colonisation, attention was not given to addressing the need to raise rural income," she said. "He found that no matter how poor a rural population was, the Malays would save little by little for the purpose of performing the haj at least once in their lifetime – and he also saw how they were willing to sell their assets for this purpose.”
The former central banker said that it was not until 1963 that TH was finally formed, where her father was given the honour of being the first depositor for his contribution to the fund.
Ungku Abdul Aziz – who held the distinction of being the first Malaysian and longest-serving vice-chancellor of UM, as well as the first Malay economist – died on December 15 last year at the age of 98. He was also the only person to be accorded the status of royal professor in the country.
In an emotional closing, Zeti paid tribute to his father for being the person who shaped her into who she is today. “He inspired me to pursue and develop my intellect – something which he said no one can ever take away from you – and told me to be well-grounded by discipline, principles, and value.
“He also inspired me to give a lifetime of service to the nation, knowing it comes with many sacrifices, and that it requires honour, bravery and courage,” she said while trying to hold back her tears. – The Vibes, March 8, 2021
