KUALA LUMPUR: SHE is known as the Iron Lady, with a “no-nonsense” attitude, acute sense of observation, tough stances and on-point remarks.
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has an impressive record as the longest-serving woman member of parliament and in the civil service in different portfolios, including as international trade and industry minister and deputy finance minister. At 76 years, she shows no sign of slowing down.
For the mother of three, life is a learning process, and she is still on a journey, particularly in her capacity as non-executive independent chairman of AirAsia X.
Sharp at 10am yesterday, as scheduled, she was at the door of her home to welcome NURADZIMMAH DAIM.
With tea cups and cutlery properly arranged, an afternoon tea stand laden with fruitcake and “cucur” (fritters) complete with spicy sauce, it shows that Rafidah takes everything, including entertaining guests, seriously.
In the next two hours, Rafidah shared her views on current affairs and work, as well as her family, which has always been her priority despite her hectic schedule.
Below are excerpts of the interview:
Question: Tan Sri, with your vast experience in politics and the administration of government, do you still have people coming to you for advice?
Answer: Yes, I do have people, including politicians, asking me for advice.
However, I don’t like it when people call me icon, mentor. People said, “Oh, you’re my icon”. What icon?
Q: The civil service was at one point affected by the “bodek” (sycophantic) culture.
Your comments.
A: Not was... it still is, (and is) affecting the administration. When a person starts to “bodek”, I would say “stop it”, and my view of him or her would change. Those close to me don’t have to do it. They see me for who I am.
For me, this “bodek” stems from insecurity and those who are insecure would succumb to it.
I am secure about myself. I dress up not for you, not for others. I do it for me. This is how I dress every day.
Q: Among the issues that have been highly debated are Bumiputeras’ special privileges, with some expressing concern that they would lose them. What is your take on it?
A: Post-independence, the government was looking into ways to assist Bumiputeras lagging behind and who had little access to infrastructure such as schools, for instance.
That’s when the government helped and uplifted Bumiputeras. Yes, of course, we should give assistance to those in need, not just Bumiputeras, but Malaysians, regardless of race.
Today, everyone has access to education and healthcare, among others.
You can’t keep holding on to the sentiment and using it as a passport and say you are a Bumiputera and you are entitled to this and that. It is just like using crutches. How long are we going to use crutches?
Let’s not talk about problems of the last 60 years. These are all excess baggage. Let’s move forward and talk about the current problems we are facing.
The National Economic Policy was created in the aftermath of the May 13, 1969 riots to increase wealth distribution among Malaysians by expanding the economic cake, as we call it. It is, however, not a permanent policy that is unchangeable, like the Quran, which we cannot change even a little bit.
It’s also how you explain things to the people. When we prepared the New Economic Policy, there were leaders from MCA who did not agree to it, so I explained to them the way I am explaining to you.
Bumiputeras own 1.2 per cent, while you (the Chinese) own 40 per cent and the rest is held by foreigners. You have to make the economy grow.
We are not taking your 40 per cent. We want to increase (company) ownership among Bumiputeras to 30 per cent and even that is not achieved immediately. The growth is for over 30 years. Today, Bumiputeras hold 30 per cent of the wealth.
Whenever I read about success stories, I feel proud when I learn that they are Malaysians. Malaysia first.
Then, when I learn they are Bumiputeras, it feels really good and there’s a sense of pride knowing the fact that our people are successful.
Q: What do you have to say about your critics? Especially with social media, it is so easy to publish comments about people and things.
A: I am a serious person. I speak from the heart and I speak my mind. I tell it as it is. My conscience is clear. I don’t need to be corrupt. I have more than enough. Just work. That’s my attitude in life.
People can say what they want about me. I can’t be bothered. If what they say is wrong, they will bear the consequences and face retribution from God.
When I die, I want to die with a clean record. As for my personal sins, you jangan gaduh (don’t argue).
These people, who are commenting about me, do they really know me? People who are malicious, nothing will seem right to them.
I always go by the 80:20 principle. If 80 per cent of the people agree with what we are doing, that is good enough.
I only talk about things I have knowledge and experience of. Even when I give talks abroad, I only speak based on my experience and what was going on in Malaysia, in a way that won’t offend others.
I shouldn’t be telling others how to run their country, the same way I won’t have it
when outsiders tell us how to run ours.
I think we are losing our cohesiveness because in many among us, there will be one or two who don’t possess humanity and only think of themselves, not as Malaysians.
We are 62 years old (a nation). I was 14 when we achieved independence and I listened to everything that was happening at the time. When I talk, it’s not something from textbooks. I was there.
Q: What is your view on the glass ceiling?
A: The only glass ceiling is your mind. I believe in equitable treatment. This means people are treated not based on their colour or gender. For instance, poverty transcends races. We should help the underprivileged, not because they are Malays, Chinese or Indians.
When you talk about women’s rights, what is it exactly that you want?
Of course, if an employer restricts an employee’s growth because she’s getting married — “Oh, she will get pregnant and have children, she would not be able to perform” — that is unfair.
When everyone understands this, there will be no gender issues. That 30 per cent quota is also nonsense.
We should be recognised based on merit. The top is reserved for the best, not for people who know someone or people who know how to sweet talk.
Q: How do you manage your time between work, family and meeting people? Do you have time to go on vacations?
A: I won’t say that I’m busy, but rather, occupied.
I have my schedule laid out.
We try to go for a vacation once a year, but there are times when our schedule clashes. What we do is that we have a meal together outside once a week.
Q: Do you have people or peers asking you to slow down and take it easy?
A: In fact I do, someone just asked me to rest and take care (pointing to her phone). I will work as along as my schedule allows me.
There were times when I had to turn down invitations to events and talks. I don’t frequently give interviews either, but here I am. What I’m trying to say is that, if I am able to fulfil requests, I will definitely do it.
Other times, I ask them, what do you want to see me about? If we can text or WhatsApp or send a PDF file, then there is no need for a meet-up.
Q: Do you miss going to the ground and meeting constituents?
A: Not really. My constituents now are Malaysians. Whatever I do is for the people and the country. Having said that, when you are a member of parliament, you must take care of your constituents and not just focus on the national issues. There has to be a balance. I hit the ground running when I was made a senator when I was 30 and became an MP. I am blessed because when I came into office, I had background in economy (she holds a master’s degree in Economics and was a lecturer at Universiti Malaya) and was already used to working with others, galvanising people albeit at the lower level.
Q: You were reported to be a strict parent in bringing up your children. Is that true? And would you sometimes remind them not to name drop?
A: I didn’t have to remind them because they understand. They were nurtured and disciplined since young to work hard and achieve something based on merit. They achieve success all on their own, with the facilities made available to them.
When they were young, they would not dare to cause trouble because I made it clear to them; cause a scene and I’ll pinch you (gesturing with her hand). These days, you can see young children screaming and running around in restaurants, disturbing the peace of others while the parents just let them be. When you bring small children to a public place, you should know how to keep them occupied; these days, children like to play games on mobile phones, previously it was crayon and drawing book.
At home, my grandchildren know better than to “touch” the stuff in the living room. They have their toys in a separate room upstairs and that’s where they are allowed to play as much as they like. Discipline is an important aspect and must be instilled in children since young.
My late husband (Tan Sri Mohamed Basir Ahmad) was the Maybank chairman, but I didn’t go around telling people that. We are each our own person and receive recognition because of our work. Even one of my grandchildren didn’t know I was a minister until the schoolteacher pointed it out.
I am actually embarrassed when people accord me with special treatment, all because I am Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. Say, I have a 10.30am appointment with the doctor, why should I get to go in earlier when others are already waiting? Let me wait for my turn.
Q: How do you keep well? What do you when you feel overwhelmed?
A: I keep my mind active. It was tough when my husband passed away. But then I thought, he wouldn’t want to see me sad. Then, I looked around and I have a lot of worries and concerns for the country. But, hey, instead of worrying, I should do something. When people asked me to talk, I did.
Q: If there’s one that you wished you could do different, what would it be?
A: I don’t believe in regrets and wallowing on the past. What had to be done was done. There were times when I thought it was the best decision based on the circumstances. If I make a mistake, I decide there and then that I won’t repeat it and do better next time. That’s it.