Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister, was awarded an honorary doctorate in Social Transformation from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology on 19 April 2008.

The award was to commemorate his contribution in influencing and transforming people from the Federation of Land Development Authority, by giving them a chance to improve their lifestyle, and uplift them from poverty.

The second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, Najib’s father was the one initiated the Felda programme, 50 years’ ago, to redress rural social issues.

Tun Abdul Razak was successful in eradicating poverty faced by the first generation of Felda settlers.

Najib, being a leader continuing his father’s legacy had acquired vast experiences in various Ministerial posts. He knows that the strength of a nation lies in building its people.

Hence, he has set a social transformation underpinned by a five prong strategy to develop the rural Malay areas into new economic growth centres.

This approach will produce a new middle class through enhancing and diversifying the income of the rural population by encouraging people to venture into business and entrepreneurship instead of just depending on commodities.

Najib on accepting the award said it was a proud and sweet moment but, he was sharing it with his late father who initiated the land development programme into a successful venture.

“The Felda journey started 50 years ago, and today we are able to reap its rewards as a result of my father’s vision and the effort put in by the settlers. However, let us not forget the struggles of past leaders and also the present settlers, who faced hardship, folding their sleeves together and working tirelessly to change the rural landscape.

“Today, Felda is a rural community which the country could be proud off in helping produce rubber and palm oil, and changing the rural landscape of Malaysia,” he said.

Najib said he accepted the award with trepidation for while it was true he had dedicated three decades of his life to service the nation, the sum of his contribution pales in comparison to our founding fathers.

“Indeed I stand on the shoulder of giants and walk in their shadows,” he said in thanking Limkokwing University of Creative Technology for the award.