Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah made several pointed remarks about good leadership – espousing virtues and denouncing ruling through fear or corruption.
Pearls of wisdom:
- A pious leader would submit to the divine
- He need not offer bribes or incentives to get support
- He need not make threats to build his strength
- An individual’s true nature and character would show when he or she has position, power and wealth
- This change of nature and character will happen fast when an individual is surrounded by greedy and self-serving people who are two-faced, whisper praises with hidden motives
- Leaders who have been elevated to high office should not have their heads in the clouds
In his speech during the swearing-in of Umno’s Saarani Mohamad as Perak menteri besar today, the monarch said power to lead comes from God and thus a pious leader would submit to the divine.
“His strength, protection and defences come from God. He need not offer bribes or incentives to get support, which does not necessarily come with loyalty.
“Likewise, he need not make threats to build his strength as strength obtained through such means is brittle,” he added at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
Sultan Nazrin added that an individual’s true nature and character would show when he or she has position, power and wealth.
“Power will show whether they will no longer keep their word or change their tune and be ready to say ‘black is white and white is black’.
“Meanwhile, wealth will reveal whether a person is still humble and moderate or bring to the surface their selfishness and arrogance.
“This change of nature and character will happen fast when an individual is surrounded by greedy and self-serving people who are two-faced, whisper praises with hidden motives and thus abuse their relationship with a ruler,” he added.
The monarch also said that leaders who have been elevated to high office should not have their heads in the clouds.
Saarani was sworn-in as menteri besar following the ouster of Bersatu’s Ahmad Faizal Azumu through a vote of confidence last week.
Today’s swearing-in ceremony is the third held since the 2018 general election.
Sultan Nazri said this historical moment reflected a failure in leadership.
“Since the 14th general election, the swearing-in ceremony of the state Menteri Besar has been held three times. This is something unprecedented that had never taken place during the previous terms of the Perak state assembly.
“This is not a history to be proud of. Instead, what happened will be marked in history as a reflection of failure and not success.
“Failure in leadership among politicians to secure solid support consistently so that the mind and energy can focus on administering the state in the best way for the people’s interest,” he said.
He added that the people of Perak, represented by either PN or PH, want a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous state that is administered in a just manner.
His Highness said the people, especially the poor, were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and should not be made to suffer.
“Don’t let the people suffer due to the influence of vengeful emotions and outdated political thinking,” he added.