SHAH ALAM: An author’s move to name his book by linking the terms “corruption” and “hypocrisy” with Malay politics was courageous, says Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
The Perak Ruler said Corruption and Hypocrisy in the Malay Politics writer Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr M. Kamal Hassan had selected important topics to be addressed – Malay politics and corruption – despite risking criticism from the community.
The Sultan said it had been a culture for the Malay community to use metaphors, figurative language and poetic words to protect one’s feelings when trying to expose wrongdoings.
“However, the writer’s approach is brand new, out of the norm and outside of the (culture) ‘box’ of the Malays.
“Despite having the risks of getting backlashes (from the Malay community), he’s ready to face it as he wanted to awaken his people from a slumber; and hopefully make them realise that the people are facing a deadly ‘virus’ ... even deadlier than Covid-19,” he said, in reference to corruption.
Speaking at the book’s launch at the Kumpulan Karangkraf building here yesterday, the Perak Ruler called for the public to stop justifying the act of corruption, urging the rakyat to fight and start treating the “disease”.
“We must be brave enough to admit the reality that corruption is happening on a dangerous scale, based on the repeated warnings contained in the Auditor-General’s Report and the various findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
“In addition, complaints reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as well as various agencies and departments, subjects in anonymous letters, news reports by the media, and issues told in social media, should also be considered as indications to the real situation of corruption that occurs,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin also said that corruption had led to wider socio-economic issues that hindered economic growth, discouraged foreign investment, increased administrative and transaction costs, deprived citizens of access to services and promoted political instability.
“Corruption results in unsustainable development, environmental pollution, unbalanced distribution of wealth and the draining of national treasures.”
He said many countries have been robbed of their wealth by corruption, leaving them to languish in backwardness and poverty.
The Sultan also said that corruption would spread and become accepted as a norm if left unchecked.
Likening it to a disease, he said corruption is curable.
“Corruption is a cancer among the community, it spreads slowly while destroying the ‘organs’ of the organisation until eventually brings the organisation down and results in death if not treated promptly.
“The assessment of the state of corruption must be done honestly – sincerely and objectively – (and) factually, as proof that we are very serious about curbing, even intending to fight and eliminate corruption,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin also reminded the public that power, rank and position were a part of tests from God.
He added that the corrupt would be exposed sooner or later.
“Be aware! Power obtained through bribery is not guaranteed to be accompanied with loyalty.
“The true nature of a person will be revealed when a person gets a position and power.
“And then, words no longer hold on to.
“A person’s true character will be displayed when he has wealth and possessions, then humility disappears; meanwhile, on the other hand, arrogance and disdain emerge,” he warned.
As the protector of Islam in Perak, Sultan Nazrin also said he had decreed all mosques in his state to integrate prayers calling for the end of corruption and power abuse.