Sultan Nazrin and Tuanku Zara Salim handing out duit raya to children from an orphanage during the state-level Hari Raya celebrations in Perak, in May. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Sultan Nazrin remains a strong advocate for affordable housing, good governance and sustainable development in Perak
KNOWN for his humble and compassionate nature, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is loved and highly regarded by all.
Sultan Nazrin, who is celebrating his 68th birthday, always has the people in mind and heart, as evident in his royal addresses and speeches.
Born on Nov 27, 1956, in George Town, Penang, Sultan Nazrin is the eldest of five children of the late Sultan Azlan Shah and former Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun.
Sultan Nazrin received his education at Sekolah Rendah Jalan Kuantan and St John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur.
The Ruler 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.
Sultan Nazrin ascended the throne as the 35th Sultan of Perak on May 29, 2014, following the passing of Sultan Azlan. He married Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim on May 17, 2007, and they have two children – Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah and Raja Nazira Safya Shah.
On Jan 31 this year, Sultan Nazrin took the oath of office for the third time as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a role he has performed with distinction since 2016.
Sultan Nazrin is well-informed and actively keeps up to date with current events, frequently applying his knowledge and wisdom to provide valuable guidance.
During the opening of the state legislative assembly on Aug 25, 2021, the Ruler had said that the state government needed to pay serious attention to the threat to food security supply by activating the agricultural, livestock and fishing sectors.
Sultan Nazrin emphasised that these sectors should adopt new practices and embrace a modern production culture to enhance food productivity.
Sultan Nazrin signing an autograph at the opening of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital’s Women, Children and Cardiology Complex in Ipoh, in February. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
On March 28, 2022, at the opening of the state legislative assembly, the Ruler had said the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, inflation and recent wars had threatened the security of the world’s food supply.Sultan Nazrin had said that the government had been implementing concerted actions to improve food security, including through the Industrial Revolution 4.0, to access new markets and attract the younger generation to join the agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry sectors.
During the Maal Hijrah 1444 celebration on July 30, 2022, Sultan Nazrin noted that Malaysia was on the brink of a food security threat and emphasised the need for diligent efforts and a focus on reducing imports.In a royal address on Aug 25, 2022, the Ruler stated that water is a priceless natural treasure and a vital resource for human life and numerous economic sectors.Sultan Nazrin pointed out that there are 11 major river basins in Perak, with Sungai Perak being the largest one, and that the responsibility to preserve the cleanliness of the rivers is the collective responsibility of all parties.
During the opening of the state assembly session in August 2022, the Ruler had mentioned that the government was not in a rush to approve licences on a massive scale for the non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) pilot mining project.
Sultan Nazrin said prioritising health, safety and the environment was of utmost importance, adding that past incidents of damage to the Earth’s surface and the price the state and people have paid after tin mining activities must be used as a lesson.
“Perak should not be content with solely being the producer of raw materials. On the contrary, the production of raw materials should be complemented with downstream activities so that the materials mined are equipped with added value, which can provide more opportunities for high-level work,” Sultan Nazrin said.
At the state assembly opening on March 28, 2022, Sultan Nazrin emphasised that owning a home is a basic need, following essential items like food and clothing. The Ruler stated that the low-income housing programme can help to reduce poverty and such efforts should be increased.
“The government’s aim was to build 50,000 affordable housing units between 2018 and 2023. This target was successfully achieved in 2021, with a total of 56,292 houses built,” he had said.
Sultan Nazrin inspecting a parade at the 42nd Royal Commissioning and Awarding of Credentials to Cadet Officers from the Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes) at Public Universities 2024 at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in September. — Bernama
In a more recent royal address this year, the Ruler during the opening of the state legislative assembly said robust anti-corruption measures underscore the government’s dedication to nurturing a transparent and equitable business environment.
In addressing significant hurdles to spur economic progress, Sultan Nazrin said that the nation must prioritise good governance to gain the trust of investors.
In his keynote address at the 7th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation, the Ruler urged the global Muslim community to unite in addressing the growing crisis affecting the ummah amid worsening wealth gaps between countries and intensifying international conflicts.Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said that under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan launched in 2021, the six main agendas were food security, digital economy, data-based decision-making, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) corridor, responsible mining and state-interest project management.In June this year, Saarani announced three new additional agendas, namely social development, environmental sustainability and biodiversity, and empowerment of local authorities.
Saarani had said that the plan was the state government’s commitment to ensure that every layer of the society could enjoy the results of inclusive development, with the focus being on the people’s well-being and ensuring a sustainable environment.
“We want to make Perak a competitive and sustainable state by optimising the potential of natural resources, and advancing on strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and technology- based industries,” he had said during the state assembly sitting in November 2022.
In January last year, he said the vision of Perak Sejahtera 2030 was not only to build a stronger economy, but also to form a prosperous, harmonious and resilient society in facing challenges of the future.
“The development we are implementing is to ensure that Perak remains a prosperous state with broad economic opportunities and a balance between physical development and environmental sustainability,” he had said when launching the green development project at the Silver Valley Technology Park in June last year.
During the Perak International Expo launch in August last year, Saarani had said they were trying to attract more high-quality investments, including in the field of green and digital technology, to ensure that Perak continues to be at the forefront of global economic transformation.“Perak Sejahtera 2030 is about building a better future for all the people of Perak, regardless of background and positions.
“We want everyone to enjoy the development that we have achieved,” he added.
