Sultan Nazrin A Pious Leader Need Not Give Bribes Make Threats For Support

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Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah made pointed remarks about good leadership today - espousing virtues, and denouncing ruling through fear or corruption.
In his speech during the swearing-in of Umno's Kota Tampan state assemblyperson Saarani Mohamad as Perak menteri besar, the monarch said that power to lead comes from God - and thus a pious leader would submit wholly 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 or intimidation to build his strength, as strength obtained through such means is very brittle in nature," His Majesty said at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
Sultan Nazrin added that an individual's true nature and character will show when they have positions, 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, and 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 said.
The monarch also said that leaders who have been elevated to high office should not have their heads in the clouds and forget the ground.


Saarani was sworn-in as menteri besar following the ouster of Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu through a vote of confidence last week.
Umno had initially faced difficulty in securing a majority, as PAS and Bersatu withheld support over the former's decision to vote out Faizal.
However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday apologised for Perak Umno's actions, and an agreement was reached with PAS and Bersatu.
Zahid had also made an agreement with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang regarding the distribution of positions in the new state government.
Today's swearing-in ceremony is the third one held since the 2018 general election.
Sultan Nazri said this historical moment reflected a failure in leadership. - Mkini

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