Speaking at the launch of a coffee-table book “Fulfilling A Legacy — Tun Abdul Razak”, Nazrin listed four areas — unity, education, economy and integrity — where the country has regressed.
Nazri said in the excitement to get support, political parties tend to sensationalise religious and racial issues.
He said this ran counter to Razak’s vision of unity among the various races laying the foundation for the future of the country.
There was also the failure in implementation of the National Education Policy, based on the Razak Report drawn up to reform the education system, to fulfil the aim of schools being a place to unite people.
“The younger generation nowadays, scattered into different school streams, will not have the opportunity to interact and get to know each other, but instead grow in isolation in their own ethnic groups,” he said when launching the book, written by Shahreen Kamaluddin.
Present were Nazrin’s consort Tuanku Zara Salim, the late Razak’s wife Rahah Mohammad Noah, and former inspector-general of police and foundation’s chairman, Hanif Omar.
Nazrin said the New Economic Policy had strayed from its original track, notably in the abuse of wealth distribution opportunities, leading to large-scale leakages in the Bumiputera economic share.
This has also caused disgruntlement not just among the non-Bumiputeras who view the policy as discriminatory, but also anger among Bumiputeras.
“As for corruption and integrity, Razak would be sad with the disclosure after disclosure and arrest after arrest due to large-scale graft involving those in high positions as well as learned individuals.
“These involve huge amounts, which then tarnish the country’s image,” he said.
Razak, in his 1,941 days in office, also left many legacies, Nazrin said, among which was the restoration of Parliament in 1972 after the racial riots of May 13, 1969, with the power to choose the government returned to the people.
This restored the confidence and support of the people in the leaders, Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), he said.
He added that it included dynamic and up-and-coming leaders like Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Musa Hitam, Ghazali Shafie, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen, Mokhtar Hashim and Rafidah Aziz.
“Razak was also not greedy for power, which was reflected in his readiness to return the powers to the people, and a readiness to hand over power to the replacement lineup.
“He was also trustworthy and honest, with an administrative system that was transparent and had integrity.
“He was careful with the nation’s spending and was very thorough in ensuring the nation’s money was not spent on himself and his family,” he said.
Nazrin was overcome with emotion at one point as he relayed the role of Rahah as “a source of strength to Razak”.
“She is such a humble person, even when she was then the wife to a deputy prime minister and then prime minister.
“She bore Razak five children. When she lost her husband, she took full responsibility to guide and teach her five children to become successful,” he added.
The launch of the 158-page book, which costs RM100, is in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the foundation.