KUALA LUMPUR – The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, has urged individuals in leadership positions to refrain from engaging in behaviours involving mutual condemnation and insults.
During University Malaya’s 63rd convocation ceremony today, he noted that such conduct, particularly from those in influential roles, poses a serious threat to both citizens and the nation.
Sultan Nazrin, who is also UM Chancellor, also warned against falling victim to the deceitful actions and irresponsible behaviour carried out by pseudo-leaders.
He also underscored the pressing need for responsible leadership and civilised discourse in the face of growing concerns over the erosion of courtesy and morality in public spaces.
The Sultan drew upon the lessons from the nation’s history, particularly the introduction of the Rukun Negara in 1971, following ethnic clashes in 1969.
The speech delved into the emergence of pseudo-leaders, a concept forewarned by the esteemed scholar Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas in 1973.
“These leaders, cultivated under the guise of ‘sorcerer mentors,’ adeptly assume the role of new figures concealing the old ones. The ideologies, mannerisms, and examples propagated by these pseudo-leaders resemble a blend of truth and falsehood, thus instigating confusion.”
“This state of confusion, compounded by the existing perplexity within the Muslim community, leads to a breakdown in rationality and morale, rendering it challenging to assimilate additional uncertainties,” he said during his speech at UM’s Dewan Tunku Canselor, here, today.
“Consequently, this has a detrimental impact on the comprehension of the general public influenced by such actions. Pseudo-leaders are mistakenly identified with authentic leaders, resulting in profound confusion and a deficiency in decorum.
“This not only signifies the degradation or corruption of knowledge but also an incapacity to discern legitimate leaders, thus opening the door for false leaders to ascend and garner support.”
The convocation, spanning 15 sessions from November 25 to December 2, 2023, celebrated the achievements of 8,326 graduates across various fields of knowledge.
Sultan Nazrin also highlighted the fragility of racial unity and the need for proactive measures to prevent the propagation of provocative voices that could incite conflicts.
Sultan Nazrin said it is crucial to incorporate the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara, which touches on ‘courtesy and morality’, into educational programs in order to protect the minds of citizens, especially school-going children, from the negative influence of uncivilised behaviour and misguided values.
This, he said, ensures that the values of ‘courtesy and morality’ are not just understood but are internalised and put into practice by all citizens.
He said Islam places a significant emphasis on the careful choice of words when engaging in conversation, highlighting the crucial principle of respect.
“Islam emphasises the principle of proper communication through the use of kind and gentle language. Equally important is the emphasis on treating others with utmost respect and maintaining a sense of orderliness,” he said.
“This includes demonstrating proper behaviour, displaying appropriate body language, and showing respect to individuals we interact with in our conversations.”
Sultan Nazrin urged universities to serve as intellectual havens, educating individuals to discern between authenticity and deception, thereby nurturing true leadership qualities.
The Sultan stressed that universities should play a pivotal role in fostering a spirit of mutual respect, harmonious interaction, politeness, and decorum. These values, he noted, are crucial for crafting pathways to unity with honour when confronted with divergent views.
The foundational principles of courtesy and morality, according to the Sultan, serve as the cornerstone for building a harmonious society and a prosperous nation. He pointed out that the behaviour of citizens, especially leaders, shapes the image and identity of the nation on the global stage. – November 25, 2023