Staff’s Name: Adnan Haris
Book Title: Rapid-Fire Rafidah: Being Malaysian First
Author: Rafidah Aziz
Publisher: MPH Group Publishing Sdn. Bhd.
Year of Publication: 2022
Official Synopsis:
Sometimes known as “The Iron Lady” for her forthright manner and unflinching stances on matters related to her ministerial portfolio, among others, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has more than made her mark on domestic politics and the world stage as Malaysia’s longest-serving woman Member of Parliament and longest-serving international trade and industry minister.
Now, more than a decade after retiring, she has penned this memoir, in which she reflects on her formative years, her political career, and the personalities she met during her years of service, and her life in retirement. Pulling no punches, she also shares her thoughts on politics, the nation, and what Malaysians need to do to move the country forward.
Comments:
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz is widely recognised as Malaysia’s “Iron Lady” and is celebrated as one of the nation’s longest-serving cabinet ministers. She held the position of Minister of International Trade and Industry for 21 years, playing a pivotal role in strengthening Malaysia’s global economic presence. Under her leadership, Malaysian brands gained international recognition, while domestically, numerous small and medium-sized enterprises flourished, expanding into large corporations with global reach. Her sharp and articulate responses earned her the moniker “Rapid-fire Rafidah” from the local media.
Throughout her career, she served under three prime ministers—Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Raised in a modest household, she was instilled with a deep appreciation for education, a value that shaped her professional and personal journey.
This book offers readers invaluable lessons, among them:
Learning is a lifelong journey. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz remained a steadfast advocate of lifelong learning, applying the wisdom imparted by her parents in raising her own children and in her professional life. These values, she believed, could be passed on through both words and actions.
Strive for excellence. Success stems from continuous self-improvement and dedication to one’s profession. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz embodied this principle, consistently seeking to refine her skills and capabilities.
Live a life of blessings. A guiding philosophy in her life was to ensure that every endeavour carried meaning and purpose. She often recalled her mother’s advice that even the smallest actions should be undertaken with sincerity and integrity.
Above all, the book highlights the essence of leadership—integrity, discipline, accountability, humility, teamwork, vision, openness to diverse perspectives, and the ability to work independently while upholding one’s principles.
For those seeking insights into the experiences and career of a distinguished Malaysian government minister, this book provides a compelling narrative of Tan Sri Rafidah’s journey, chronicling her rise to prominence and her contributions to the nation until her retirement.
Excerpts:
“I needed to always be careful, methodical and thorough, and be systematic. It was a lesson I carried throughout my life, and sometimes I even get stressed trying to get anything and everything to be “in proper order.” – Page 11
“But to me, FAMILY always came FIRST. And I was prepared to drop everything else if any of the activities impinged upon my life as wife and mother. I would love to retain my job though, as we could not possibly sacrifice my income, and expect to enjoy the life we led then.” – Page 22
“It is always easy to recite such words of motivation. The difficult task was to plan and implement effective policies and measures and bring about the desired outcomes. It was important to stay the course, not to flip-flop on decisions.” – Page 84
“Certainly, many Malaysians have already made excellent impressions on the world arena in their respective areas of research and endeavour. They reflect the diversity that is Malaysia and make Malaysians proud.” – Page 139
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This book is available at the Perdana Library. If you are interested in reading or borrowing the book, please visit our Library in Putrajaya, or contact us at 03-8885 8961 (Library Counter).
