KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman’s decision to return to politics and be in the government after retiring for almost two years to spend time with his family reflected the type of person he was, a man who always placed the interests of the country above all else.
According to eldest son Tawfik Ismail, 71, his father was a hero who sacrificed a lot, including his own health, to save the country after the May 13, 1969 bloodshed.
“Father told my mother that he had to go back (to be in the government) to help. My father felt he had no choice if he wanted to help the country. Indeed, my mother was unhappy because she doubted my father had recovered 100 per cent,” he told Bernama in an interview recently.
Tawfik said his mother was against Dr Ismail returning to work initially as she was worried about his health as he had yet to recover from a heart attack then fully.
It was with a heavy heart that his mother and family allowed Dr Ismail to return to the political scene, as he was a statesman that would not sit still or remain silent when the country was in chaos.
“My mother understood him (Tun Dr Ismail), that his duty to the country is greater than his personal interests and also knew the sacrifices he had to make,” he said.
Tawfik added his father had wanted to retire from politics in 1967 after holding the Home Minister’s post because he wanted to spend more time with the family after suffering from a heart attack, and was confident that the country was safe at that time.
“He also said it was because he no longer had the political willingness to continue to be in the government, So, he decided to retire,” he said.
However, Dr Ismail’s retirement plan did not last as he returned to become Foreign Minister and Deputy Chairman of the National Operations Council (Mageran) in 1969.
Before that, Tawfik said his father had discussed his intention to return to the cabinet with his mother (Dr Ismail’s wife) Toh Puan Norashikin Mohd Seth.
The Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) is scheduled to hold a programme to commemorate and appreciate Dr Ismail’s services to the country, in conjunction with this year’s National Month celebration.
The programme, to be held at Dataran Merdeka on August 2, aims to educate the young generation about the statesman’s contribution to developing the country.
Dr Ismail retired from politics on May 21, 1967, but was called back into the government to become Foreign Minister and Mageran deputy chairman two years later.
He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister on September 22, 1970, and that was the last position he held before he died on August 2, 1973.
He left behind Toh Puan Norashikin and six children.
For Tun Dr Ismail’s sacrifice to the country, Tawfik said his hope is for his father always to be remembered as a figure who succeeded in changing the political and social landscape of the country.
“In shaping the country, the character of the leader is important. If my father had not been steadfast and persistent, maybe many things could not have been achieved and gone smoothly,” he said, referring to the political evolution and social interaction of the country which is now more inclusive.
— Bernama
