Idris Shaari Mat Aris, former bodyguard to Najib’s father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, said he told Najib in 1999: “As a subordinate, you must be loyal to the leader, just like Tun Razak’s loyalty to Tunku Abdul Rahman.”
Najib was then the minister of defence.
He advised Najib to emulate his father who remained loyal to Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman during the May 1969 riots, when Razak was deputy prime minister to the Tunku.
“After the May 13 tragedy, many parties demanded that Tunku Abdul Rahman resign as prime minister and be replaced by Tun Razak. However, Tun Razak continued to be loyal until Tunku resigned as prime minister,” said Idris Shaari in an interview at a thanksgiving and anniversary celebration on Saturday to mark Najib’s 40 years in politics.
Idris Shaari, 73, became very close to the future prime minister, after being appointed his bodyguard on May 1, 1965, when Najib was only 12 years old. He taught him how to interact and shake hands with the people.
After Tun Razak died on Jan 14, 1976, Idris Shaari became private secretary to Najib’s mother, Tun Rahah Mohamad Noah, and was responsible for family matters.
He witnessed Najib’s early involvement in politics until he became the prime minister and recalled that Najib was always open to receiving advice even from childhood and this made him well liked by the people.
After returning from London, Najib could not speak Malay fluently but he managed to become a good orator and was convincing when delivering his speech. “He (Najib) was urged to speak soon after being elected the Member of Parliament for Pekan. I could not bear to hear it and ran to the car,” said Idris Shaari laughing.
Asked whether Najib had any mentor in politics after his father’s death, Idris Shaari said Najib was self-taught, and did not reject advice. “He is very open, always trying to increase knowledge and improve. I am impressed with the many changes.”
He spoke about how Najib helped Dr Mahathir Mohamad to remain as Umno president after the party’s leadership crisis in 1987 which divided Umno into Team A led by Mahathir and Team B led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Idris Shaari claimed that Najib’s actions showed that he was in favour of Team B led by Tengku Razaliegh.
“As head of Pahang Umno Youth, he had strong influence on the Pahang delegates. After much persuasion by his mother, Najib backed Dr Mahathir who was elected as Umno president.”
Idris Shaari said Najib has remained calm despite the many present-day challenges. He once asked Najib about the slanderous accusations laid against him and Najib replied: “Deris (Idris), what do you think? If I did (what he was accused of), it will not only smear my name, but the name of Tun Razak and the Razak family. I cannot do this.”
-BERNAMA