Silver lining from Perak

This is exactly what leadership is all about. Its about setting examples and 'walking the talk'. I have nothing but admiration for HRH Sultan Nazrin who shines like a beacon at a time when darkness threatens to engulf us.

This is one Sultan you can't ignore because HRH stands tall as a true leader who truly understands the people's concerns. HRH undoubtedly has the ability to 'feel the grassroots pulse' better than many who are elected to serve the people... and paid handsomely for it.

HRH is a true leader because despite his educational background and extensive exposure to the Western culture, way of life and policies, HRH remains very much a Malaysian who puts the feelings, concerns and welfare of his people first.

Sultan Nazrin has an academic and intellectual background with a BA degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Worcester College, Oxford. He also holds an MPA degree from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a PhD degree in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. - Wikipedia

It is interesting to note HRH's thoughts and actions (as an Oxford/Harvard educated leader) because HRH has never preached and pressed the people to conform to international norms or liberal policies.

HRH doesn't throw jargons and bombastic terms. It just just straight facts, concerns and perception etched deep in the people's heart and those facts are translated into words by this Malay Ruler of Perak.

You can scream till your heart drops out and rolls down the hill but if practice doesn't follow all those 'best practice' preaching, then Malaysia will continue to rot.

Certainly HRH has both his feet firmly on the ground and his heart in the right place, for a lesser soul would have flexed his Oxford/Harvard credentials to preach without practise.

Perak MB Datuk Seri Zambry Kadir is certainly a lucky man as he could now look up to the young, energetic and non-nonsense Sultan Nazrin for guidance and inspiration on how to be a better leader.

Zambry's move, to be the first politician/MB to follow in Sultan Nazrin's footsteps, could be a small step but it is certainly a step in the right direction. It is a small step which many a bigger politician than Zambry are not bothered about or have avoided talking about.

Zambry and other able minded young leaders could go a long way if they follow this silver lining from Perak's progressive Malay Ruler.

Daulat Tuanku!



p/s Going back to basics and understanding your own people better appears easier than trying to please foreign masters and their rating agencies.