‘THEY RESORTED TO MONUMENTAL ACTS OF CORRUPTION TO MAINTAIN LAVISH LIFESTYLES’: IN VEILED REFERENCE TO NAJIB REGIME & A REMINDER TO MAHATHIR & CO, PERAK SULTAN WARNS AGAINST TOO MUCH POWER IN THE HANDS OF A FEW – CALLS FOR SEPARATION POWERS, DEFENDING THE MONARCHY

KUALA LUMPUR – Corruption begins at the top, where power is concentrated in the hands of a few in which it becomes an “addiction,” the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said today.

He added that corruption then becomes hard to root out because powerful elites will do anything necessary to maintain their lavish lifestyles, including through “foul means.”

“It is partly because of their addiction to this lifestyle that some member of the elite resort to monumental acts of corruption,” he said after launching a book titled Reflections on Malaysia Unity and Other Challenges here.

Sultan Nazrin said corruption by the elites set a bad example for the rest of society.

Sultan Nazrin said the lack of governance, corruption and abuse of power has led to inequality in the distribution of wealth which has widened the fissures in society.

“Elite corruption is the most difficult to combat because of the power at the disposal of the elite unless there is a major political upheaval,” he said.

The Ruler then pointed out that after 60 years of status quo, Malaysians have voted in a new government which has promised to address the inequalities in society after decades of corrupted practices perpetuated by the few elites.

“There is a sense of euphoria and expectations are high.”

“However, we must remind ourselves that such evolution has and will always take place in any society with the new beginning in Malaysia part of that evolution process,” he said.

Earlier, Sultan Nazrin launched Reflection on Malaysia Unity and Other Challenges, a book authored by prominent academic Chandra Muzaffar. – MALAY MAIL

Perak Sultan: Let’s work towards separation of powers, defending monarchy

KUALA LUMPUR — Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said today that Malaysia is still a “work in progress” even after passing 60 years of independence last year.

“We are not perfect we have cracks and fissures but we are encouraged by the commitment that has been made to strengthen our institutions and by the reforms that have been articulated.

“We need to work on the separation of powers, ensuring the role of the monarchy is not abused and neither should its role as the protector of all citizens be diminished,” he said after launching a book entitled Reflections on Malaysia Unity and Other Challenges here.

Sultan Nazrin added that following the conclusion of the 14th general election in May, voters are now focused on good governance and hoped for an administration based on the rule of law and not the charisma of an individual.

“The voting trend among the younger generation is proof that issues which sensationalised religion and race have lost their effectiveness as an attraction factor.

“The reduced influence of sensationalised religious and race issue allows an open space for political culture in this country to be developed on the same denominator,” he added the majority should never suppress the rights of minority groups of their culture and religion.

The state Ruler also said he was certain Malaysians could do much more to achieve greater unity as a people and as a nation.

“Malaysia has progressed and that cannot be denied.

“If the past is any indicator of the future, I am confident we will pull though and we just have to be progressive in carrying out our ‘work in progress’,” he said. – MALAY MAIL

– Malay Mail