Source: The New Straits Times
Ocotober 4, 1995
By Dazman Manan
AT the age of 71, Abdul Razak Hamid considers himself "never too old" to pursue his passion to learn and share his knowledge with others. Yesterday, he was awarded the 1995 Japan Foundation Special Prize at a ceremony in Tokyo and tomorrow he will be meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan at a special audience for recipients of the Japan Foundation awards.
Abdul Razak was given the award for his outstanding contributions to promoting the Japanese language and creating mutual understanding between Japan and Malaysia.
Some would say it was by misfortune that he had to study this language during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya in 1941. He was then a teacher and the Japanese wanted teachers to study the language so that they could teach others.
"We were treated harshly during the war and we were forced to learn," recalls Abdul Razak, "but to my surprise, I fell in love with the language.
"The language is beautiful and melodious, and Japanese culture is very delicate. Their people are very polite and softspoken.
"They are known for their teamwork, their respect for elders, their patriotism and discipline. They are dedicated and committed to whatever tasks given to them."
Since he showed keen interest in the language and excelled in exams, the young Abdul Razak was sent to the University of Hiroshima in 1945 to further his studies on the teaching of Japanese.
It turned out to be his worst nightmare because he witnessed and experienced the horror of an atomic bomb falling on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.
"I can never forget that day. I was in a mathematics class at about eight in the morning. Fifteen minutes later, a siren was heard, warning ys that enemy planes were coming. We dashed out to find a safe spot but another siren wailed to indicate that the enemy was gone.
"Suddenly there was a flash of light and I sensed something was not right. The next thing I knew I was in a adark place sorrounded with rubble. Only later did I realise that I was trapped in the two-storey lecture building which had collapsed.
"I frantically tried to find a way out and then I saw a light. I followed it and it led me outside. But nothing was the same anymore. Everything was in shambles. I couldn't see any single building standing."
Abdul Razak escaped with minor head injuries. He was lucky to be trapped in the building as otherwise he would have been exposed to fatal radioactive rays.
Due to his experience, Abdul Razak was given the task of co-ordinating the Look East Policy Programme at the Centre of Preparatory Education in Institut Teknologi Mara since 1982.
His main task is to carry out administrative work as well as teach the Japanese language intensive course.
"I find great joy in teaching. It is satisfying to train people especially those who do not know Japanese. It usually takes students six months to get a feel of the subject. It is like planting seeds and watching them grow.
"During the war, we wrote on slates, rubbing them off repeatedly until we had memorised the characters."
Abdul Razak had translated two Japanese textbooks into Bahasa Malaysia.
Looking young and fit for his age, he attributes his good health to being active and eating only nutritious food - he takes a glass of fresh milk every morning.
He says he does not have any leisure time, but he's not complaining. Being on the move all the time is his way of exercising. "Every morning I leave for work about 6.30am. Depending on my workload I'll come home about 4.30 or 5 pm. I go to the mosque at 7pm and come bact at 10pm. After that I'll have dinner and at 11pm or 12am I'd in bed."
Abdul Razak tries his best to be with his wife, his three children and his nine grandchildren, "but they constantly complain that the time I spend with them is not enough and that I should stay home and rest." Even his doctor, he says, nags him about this!
"I have often asked to retire but I always end up being persuaded by my employer to stay on," he says, adding that he will continue to work as long as he is healthy, and until his employer finds the right candidate to take his place.
