Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein (1922-1976) was the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, ruling from 1970 to 1976. Of aristocratic descent, Abdul Razak studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, completing his education as a barrister at Lincoln's Inn in London. After the May 13th incident in 1969, his faction in UMNO overthrew Tunku Abdul Rahman and imposed a State of Emergency, ruling by decree until 1970. Taking over as Prime Minister, he launched the Malaysian New Economic Policy in 1971.
He passed away from leukemia in 1976 and was posthumously granted the soubriquet Bapa Kebangunan (Father of Development).
Family
Abdul Razak was descended from a long line of Pahang chieftains of Bugis descent. He was a brother in law of Tun Hussein Onn, his successor as Prime Minister. Abdul Razak's son, Najib Tun Razak, became the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia under Abdullah Badawi in 2004.
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55