Last Thursday’s Special Commemorative Seminar on Tun Abdul Razak was a boon for Malaysians too young to have experienced the leadership of one of the country’s great statesmen.

The event started to a packed hall, with those who worked with him or knew him in some way paying glowing tributes to our nation’s second prime minister, recalling his dedication to his responsibilities, his uncompromising hold on principles, his sincere concern for the downtrodden, and his humility.

Soon it was the turn of the great man’s son, Prime Minister Najib, to speak, and you could sense members of the audience straightening up in their seats.

Of course Najib said what everyone expected him to say. With a choking voice and tears welling in his eyes, he spoke of Razak as his great inspiration. He said that he, as Prime Minister, strove every day to live up to his father’s legacy and to continue his work.

There was no doubt that many in the hall were touched. Perhaps it was they who left soon after Najib did, leaving the hall half-empty.

But Najib’s teary-eyed speech got an opposite reaction online, with many netizens speculating that the tears he shed were crocodile tears.

Who are they to make such a judgment? Surely it’s not surprising that anyone recalling memories of his late father would be filled with sadness. It isn’t fair to doubt the sincerity that produced the tears.

However, when it comes to Najib’s declaration that Razak’s leadership was an example for him and that he strove to continue to do his work, that’s a different story. His track record says otherwise.

Razak did not want the vast emergency powers granted to him through the National Operations Council in the aftermath of the May 13 riots, and he sought to restore parliamentary rule.

Najib, on the other hand, has pushed through the National Security Council Bill, which will grant the council, headed by himself, sweeping emergency-like powers at the expense of the rights of citizens.

Razak was uncomfortable holding the finance portfolio as Prime Minister because it went against the principles of checks and balances. Najib doesn’t seem to have any qualms holding both portfolios.

Most of all, Razak, as told by those who knew him, was a man who put the interests of the nation ahead of his political interests, a man who would not compromise on principles and a man who did what was right for the country instead of what would ensure his continued hold on power.

Can the same be said of Najib? It is admirable to emulate a great leader like Razak, but talk is cheap.