A Conversation with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz: Perdana Leadership Foundation Oral History Series, #2

By Perdana Leadership Foundation

TAN SRI DATUK SERI RAFIDAH ABDUL AZIZ was Malaysia's longest serving-Minister of International Trade and Industry, holding the position from 1987 to 2008. As Minister, Tan Sri charted a firm path for Malaysia's growth as a trading nation within the ASEAN region and internationally. Under her leadership, Malaysia successfully negotiated numerous trade deals and carved concessions from multilateral agreements such as the AFTA. Although retired from politics, Tan Sri is an active corporate leader, chairing the board of AirAsia X.

Tan Sri Rafidah was one of the country's earliest professional economists, having earned her Bachelor's and Master's degree from Universiti Malaya. This conversation traces her childhood to her years in academia and subsequently, her entry into politics, highlighting the turning points and events that shaped her leadership style. She also shares her views on trade negotiations, women in leadership, education, and politics. This publication shines a spotlight on one of Malaysia's most dynamic leaders, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perdana Leadership Foundation
• Release date: Jun 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9789670821207

Perdana Leadership Foundation

Perdana Leadership Foundation was chartered in January 2003 as a non-profit organisation, founded with gifts from people who supported the vision of a thriving research and learning institution dedicated to the study of Malaysian leadership and nation-building. It is unique in the sense that it began as an entirely private sector initiative, seed-funded and organised by private sector individuals and corporations. Most of the Foundation’s present trustees were the early benefactors of this Foundation. The Foundation’s physical home in Precinct 8, Putrajaya, was completed in October 2003. The stately building now houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium as well as a multi-purpose hall in addition to the offices of the Foundation’s Honorary President and Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. A tax-exempt, non-profit organisation, the Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia’s Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership. On May 10, 2005, the Foundation was officially launched by the fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. who expressed the government's full support for the Foundation's objectives and programmes Perdana Leadership Foundation aims to: Highlight the contribution of Malaysia's past Prime Ministers in the social, economic and political development of the nation Create awareness of the development process of the nation and draw lessons from the nation's history to enhance future development Become the premier resource centre for the policies, strategies and initiatives adopted under Malaysia's various Prime Ministers which may be used and adapted by other developing nations The Foundation also has a broader objective i.e. to promote global understanding by providing a channel for scholars and thinkers to undertake research and idea-sharing for lasting, peaceful resolutions

Book preview

1

Childhood

DR. MOHD SHAHWAHID (DMS) | Assalamualaikum and a very good morning. We are most honoured to be here with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, the Non-Executive Independent Chairman and Director of AirAsia X, Chairman of Supermax Corporation Berhad, and Malaysia’s former Minister of International Trade and Industry. To start this interview, Tan Sri, please tell us about your family background.

TAN SRI RAFIDAH AZIZ (TSR) | I had a very normal childhood. I was not much of a child, however; I matured very fast. I don’t remember playing with dolls or toys, but I do remember requesting for a pen or a pencil set for my birthday. I liked anything to do with writing!

I played with the boys in my neighbourhood. In Kampung Baru, I played kites with the late Jamal Pendek¹ and his brothers. I spun tops which I made from the branches of the pokok jambu batu (guava tree) near my house. I played with marbles, kotak rokok (a game involving discarded cigarette boxes), and enjoyed other games that girls usually didn’t play. I never thought that I was different because I was the only girl in the group, and the boys never thought that I was different