Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Shah today reminded the people, especially leaders, not to mastermind provocation that could ignite hatred and hostility between the people of various races and religions in the country.

He expressed his sadness that the harmonious situation in the country was being jeopardised due to political competition.

“There are some political leaders who become vain after winning, while some who lost become vengeful.

“Those who won should have humility and be humble, while those who lost, to accept what had been determined by the Almighty,” he added.

Sultan Nazrin, the Perak ruler, said this in his speech at Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah’s (USAS) 11th convocation ceremony today, which witnessed a total of 1,303 graduates receiving their degree and diploma scrolls.

He said the wisdom of the nation's founders in developing the country and uniting the people should be continued so that a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous nation could be passed on to future generations.

“There are countries in conflict, to an extent some becoming destroyed, due to disputes caused by differences in sects, religions. Some are separated because of regional autonomy demands, and there are also those who kill because of differences in political ideology.

“Malaysia has all the components to stir conflict, but the past leaders chose not to be in conflict,” he added.

His advice to the graduates was for them to use their knowledge to be rational-minded people, to not let their minds to be easily poisoned to stir disputes based on emotion, and to avoid being used by people who are shallow-minded and not far-sighted.

The sultan congratulated USAS graduates and expressed his appreciation to their family members who were behind their success, as well as the university’s chairperson and board of directors, vice-chancellor and all its staff.

- Bernama