From Mahadev Shankar
The demise of Razali Wong Phui Nam on Sept 27 marks the onset of a new era of the true Malaysian identity which must show the world what it means to be a country free of bigotism and a shining example of racial harmony between a diverse group of ethnic races.
When we met in the Victoria Institution in 1947, he and I were both victims of wartime malnutrition. Notwithstanding I was already 14 years old, I was only about 65 pounds in weight. Phui Nam was even more diminutive. He could barely have been about 40 pounds and his voice had not yet broken.
However, by the time we left school in 1952 not only had both of us put on weight but we had also acquired intellectual capabilities which had fully equipped us for the academic careers which followed.
Along with his classmate the late Harbhajan Singh Gill, both of them distinguished themselves by refusing to submit to the barbaric ragging which was the norm in the university.
From the very first day of admission to the Dunearn Road Hostel in Singapore they were brutally isolated by their “seniors”.
Undeterred, they called their dormitory “Ye Airy Boers” which became a beacon of defiance of their individuality. After graduation, with a Masters in the Arts, they returned to Kuala Lumpur to pursue their chosen careers.
In the course of his working life, Phui Nam distinguished himself as one of Malaysia’s pioneers in the formation of the Malaysian cultural identity. A poet, a dramatist and connoisseur of cultural music Phui Nam stood out as one of Malaysia’s most illustrious sons. A full biography will be required to detail his many achievements.
This must be left for the time being to others who are familiar with his body of work.
Let it be said here that his end is Malaysia’s beginning as a race with its own unique character.
He is survived by his widow Khatijah Ismail and their progeny, Shaarin, Norazah, Rizal and Qushairi.
Mahadev Shankar is a retired Court of Appeal judge.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.