TAN Sri Rafidah Aziz, the longest serving Minister of International Trade and Industry in the country's history, has just released her first memoir at the age of 79.
'Rapid-Fire Rafidah: Being Malaysian First' traces the often outspoken figure's formative years, her introduction to politics and the unique experiences and personalities she has encountered over the course of a lifelong career in politics.
The book launch earlier today was officiated by Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, with many high profile political figures and industry leaders in attendance, among whom were former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, newly minted Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
In his opening address, Sultan Nazrin highlighted Rafidah’s many contributions to Malaysia and reiterated the importance of moving beyond racial and religious rhetoric in politics, a principle Rafidah has stood by.
“Rafidah has always been the representative of all Malaysians, accepting, respecting, and welcoming of diversity, and fuelled by her strong desire to drive our multi-ethnic nation forward. As she puts it: 'We have all built this nation together, and we must continue to do so'.
"She is a shining example of the benefits of a multicultural education, and clearly learnt much from the wonderful if strict convent education she received. This includes strong moral values, which as she emphasises throughout the book, are universal and shared by us all, whatever our backgrounds or religions,” Sultan Nazrin remarked in his speech.
Rafidah has been a trailblazer throughout her political career. As a Malaysian cabinet minister serving three successive prime ministers – Tun Hussein Onn, Dr Mahathir, and Tun Abdullah Badawi – she played a vital role in stimulating trade and investment.
Her steadfast, tenacious, and uncompromising character earned her the moniker, Malaysia’s 'Iron Lady' – a nickname she shares with former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
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During the late '60s and early ‘70s, Rafidah studied and taught economics at the University of Malaya, under the highly distinguished Royal Professor, Ungku Aziz, where she focused closely on the rural poor. She also conducted research on the rubber sector contributing to policy development from the start.
Her leading-edge policies helped to restructure and transform the country's economy as Malaysia moved away from an agrarian economy towards the greater value economic potential of a manufacturing and service driven economy.
Spanning 280 pages, the autobiography also contains her views on politics and nation-building, in the hopes that the younger generation will carry Malaysia to greater heights.
'Rapid Fire Rafidah: Being Malaysian First' is being sold at MPH stores nationwide and retails at RM80 in the hardcover edition or RM65 for the softcover. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
