Sultan Nazrin - A pious leader need not bribe, make threats for support
Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah made several pointed remarks about good leadership - espousing virtues and denouncing ruling through fear or corruption.
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...
Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah made several pointed remarks about good leadership - espousing virtues and denouncing ruling through fear or corruption.
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 said an individual's true nature and character would show when he or she has 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 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 sultan 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.
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 held since the 2018 general election.
Sultan Nazri said this historical moment reflected a failure in leadership.
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