KUALA KANGSAR: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said the role of the Royal Institution had become exceedingly relevant in the midst of growing disunity.
Speaking at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Pledge of Loyalty and Investiture Ceremony in conjunction with his 68th birthday at Istana Iskandariah, he said there had been a growing chorus of voices that openly mock the royal institution amid the amplified debates surrounding religion and ethnicity.
He said a Ruler's role, beyond fulfilling constitutional responsibilities, was essential in bridging tradition with modernisation, enlivening the nation's rich history and civilisational legacy.
He said the legacy, shaped through respectful cultural practices, refined character, and the beauty of language, forms the foundation for building a disciplined, advanced, modern, and progressive nation.
"This role is exceedingly relevant and grows more so as our society faces various forms of cultural subversion and sabotage.
"Recently, we have witnessed a troubling trend: the rejection of decorum and disregard for tradition, often led by those ignorant of their country's history, shallow in their understanding of their own civilisation, and influenced by a displaced cultural mindset.
"This detached, rootless perspective leads them to violate values and abandon tradition," he said.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Di-Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris and Raja Puan Muda Perak Tunku Soraya Abdul Halim Shah.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
At the ceremony, Sultan Nazrin presented awards and medals to 59 of the 213 recipients, and the second session of the ceremony for the remaining recipients will be held on Nov 16.
Sultan Nazrin, who is also the Deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, said that the civilisation that has been built is far too valuable to be allowed to crumble due to the actions of individuals and organisations with a tenuous grasp of tradition and a hollow understanding of decorum.
"Their misguided intellect cannot be followed, nor can their ignorance be taught, yet they possess an overwhelming desire to introduce a new order, often voicing and behaving inappropriately while promoting actions that starkly contradict the decorum and refinement of our customs.
"It is imperative that citizens recognise the need to reject cultural encroachments and to firmly oppose both words and deeds that violate the boundaries of custom and decorum.
"We must not permit anyone to become uncivilised or to live devoid of manners and respect for our heritage," he said.
He said the reigning monarch, seated upon the throne, stands as the symbol of the sovereignty of the Malay homeland, serving as both a bastion and a protective stronghold for Islam and Malay culture.
"In doing so, the monarch provides psychological comfort to the minds of Muslims and the Malay people.
"However, the reigning monarch must also offer equitable protection to citizens of a society comprising diverse ethnicities, practising different religions, inheriting rich cultures, and speaking multiple languages—people who have made this land their home.
"These are citizens who have proven their loyalty to the King and the nation."
"The throne, in upholding the divine trust, must fulfil the prayers and hopes of the people, it must act as a sheltering canopy, providing refuge to all citizens who have collectively worked together in the pursuit of building a nation that is free, peaceful, prosperous, and sovereign," he said.