Caring Ruler who nurtures people

WIDELY-KNOWN as a kind ruler who cares for his subjects’ well- being, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is loved and respected by many.

Sultan Nazrin, who is celebrating his 66th birthday, always has the people in mind as evident in his royal addresses and speeches.

His Royal Highness is acutely aware of what is happening in the country and all around the world, and would often dispense sound advice to all.

Due to the rising cost and shortages of foodstuff that was impacting the people, Sultan Nazrin had during the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration in July, called on the country to come up with strategic measures to ensure the people’s need for food can be met.

He warned that Malaysia could be on the brink of a food security emergency unless efforts are made to ensure there was no shortage of food items.

He said prices of food ingredients, especially imported ones, would continue to rise due to disruption to the supply chain because of the Russia-Ukraine War and depreciation of the ringgit.

He also called for the Green Book Plan (Rancangan Buku Hijau), launched by the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1974 to curb excessive dependence on imported foodstuffs, to be revisited.

Sultan Nazrin, who is Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, also reminded the people to continue following all Covid-19 standard operating procedures and preventive measures so that the Hari Raya Aidilfitri then could be celebrated safely and joyfully.

His Royal Highness also paid tribute to the Jaffna Tamil community, which has played an important role in every facet of Malaysian society.

He noted that the community had rich culture and heritage, and produced influential and impactful professionals in various fields.The Ruler had said this during the launch of a book titled “They Came From Jaffna: A Historical Culinary Journey and Enchanting Tale of Roots, Routes and Vivid Memories, As Told By A Pioneer’s Granddaughter” by Indra R. L. Iswaran in August.

Recently during the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration in October, Sultan Nazrin called for more participation from youths in helping with community development programmes.

He said youths need to be trusted to be at the forefront, whereby they could inject new dynamism and play a significant role as a game changer.

He said the youths could provide new and fresh ideas that are relevant to current needs and challenges.

Sultan Nazrin has also been quite vocal against corruption, calling on the people to stop justifying and to fight it.

He had, during the launch of the “Corruption and Hypocrisy in the Malay Politics” book by writer Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr M. Kamal Hassan in September, said corruption was akin to a “disease” like cancer that needs to be cured or eradicated.

The Perak Ruler said corruption had led to wider socio-economic issues that hindered economic growth, discouraged foreign investment, increased administrative and transaction costs, deprived citizens of access to services and promoted political instability.

He added that corruption also resulted in unsustainable development, environmental pollution, unbalanced distribution of wealth and loss of national treasures.

In August, Sultan Nazrin said judges must be free from influences or pressure.

He said this would ensure the credibility and integrity of the judiciary system.

He also said that judgment must be transparent to reflect a credible justice system that is not influenced by fear of anyone.

In June, the Perak Ruler said Malaysia must continue to champion and remain an exemplar of multiculturalism.

He said the country must aim to maintain the values that have brought post-independence prosperity to all its communities amid challenges locally and globally.

The Ruler continued to assert the importance of having cultural diversity during the Sixth World Conference on Islamic Thought & Civilisation (WCIT) 2022 in October, noting that the pervasive change in attitude towards multiculturalism would make the world infinitely poorer.

In April, Sultan Nazrin called on corporate bodies to have greater and diverse representation in decision-making roles.

He said studies have found a whole range of benefits from having diversity and increased representation of women and minority groups.

He had said this during the launch of a book on “Corporate Governance and Ethics” written by Nik Norzrul Thani, Mohamad Izahar Mohamad Izham and Liya Saffura Ab Rashid.

Sultan Nazrin also reminded political party leaders to be more responsible by ensuring elections in the country do not become a battlefield that can threaten the country’s stability and impact the harmony of the people.

The Ruler said sensational issues that could ignite racial disharmony and religious sentiments that were brought up during campaigns to gain votes, would complicate efforts to create unity, divide the people and strain the relationship among people from various backgrounds.

This, he said, would nullify efforts to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous nation.

He had said this during the launch of a book entitled Pilihan Raya Demokrasi Malaysia: Tanding, Pilih, Menang, Tadbir (Malaysian Democratic Election: Contest, Choose, Win, Govern) in March.

Sultan Nazrin also said choosing a government through an election is a serious matter as the fate of the people and country depends on those who are given the mandate to form a government, therefore voting must be based on rational thinking and facts, not on sentiments and emotions.

He added that a free and fair election allows the people, parties, candidates and the media to enjoy their basic human rights involving freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of movement and assembly, in addition to freedom from intimidation, pressure and violence as well as the right to have access to information and media facilities.

The Ruler said free and fair elections would not only increase people’s confidence and participation but it is also an international standard on the level of observance of human rights for each citizen.

> turn to page 2Sultan Nazrin also cares for the environment, as in his royal address during WWF Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebration in January, said that the country must fulfil its commitment to conservation efforts.

He reminded that the National Forestry Policy has mandated that 50% of the country must remain under forest cover.

He said that the threat of climate changes was real as parts of the country had been severely impacted by flash floods.

The Perak Sultan also called on all Malaysians to do their part to protect the wildlife, climate, rivers, forests and oceans.

Sultan Nazrin continued to remind the people of the need to protect the environment in the opening of the fifth session of the 14th Perak state assembly sitting in March.

He said destroying the environment in the name of development and profits cannot be justified, as there needs to be balance so that humans and nature could co-exist.

Born on Nov 27, 1956, in George Town, Penang, Sultan Nazrin is the eldest of five children to the late Sultan Azlan Shah and former Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun.

He received his education at Sekolah Rendah Jalan Kuantan and St John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur.

He also studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and later at Oxford University for a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Sultan Nazrin also holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University.

He ascended the throne as the 35th Perak Sultan on May 29, 2014, following the passing of Sultan Azlan.

He married Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim on May 17, 2007 and they have two children — Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah and Raja Nazira Safya Shah.

In expressing his well wishes to Sultan Nazrin, Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said His Royal Highness is a wise, well-read and intelligent Ruler.

“His speeches are compelling and I often use them as my guidance when discharging my duties as a leader.

“He is truly well-respected by the people of all walks of life,” said Dr Mah, who is also MCA deputy president.

“We, as his subjects, are lucky and blessed to have this outstanding and scholarly figure as our Ruler.

“On behalf of Perak MCA, I wish him the best of health and long life,” he added.

Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) president Hafizudin Nasarudin, hopes that Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah will continue to be a progressive king.

“As an environmentalist, I genuinely hope that Sultan Nazrin will speak up about environmental issues and protect Perak’s special forests and more.

“I also hope that the Perak ruler will continue to help the public, similar to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was known as the king that helped farmers and the people in his country,” he said.

“May Sultan Nazrin continue to be a wise, intelligent, and progressive king with great health,” he added.

Asian Cycling Confederation vice-president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said Perakians were fortunate to have a learned Ruler who always had the Rakyat in his mind.

He said Sultan Nazrin is someone who is sensitive to the needs and wishes of the people.

Amarjit said especially in this current political climate, Tuanku Sultan has been coming out with timely reminders to political leaders in the state and in the country on the importance of serving the Rakyat honestly.

“The Ruler’s advice is always looked upon by the people as a breath of fresh air and also shows the important role played by the Royalties in creating a stable political environment.

“On behalf of the cycling family and the Sikh community, I would like to say Happy Birthday Tuanku and wish His Royal Highness the very best of health and long life. Daulat Tuanku,” he said.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Orang Asli Perak president Datuk Suki Mee said the Orang Asli is lucky to have a ruler like Sultan Nazrin.

“He has been concerned about many issues revolving around the Orang Asli community in Perak, especially about education.

“Through the Sultan Azlan Shah foundation, Sultan Nazrin has helped to boost the education level among Orang Asli children under the foundation’s Orang Asli educational development programme.

“On behalf of my community, it is my greatest hope that Sultan Nazrin will give some attention to Orang Asli’s customary land that has yet to be gazetted. It is crucial for the matter to be resolved since it will affect the community negatively in the long term,” he said.