Raja Dr Nazrin Shah |
HOW often do you hear a top leader say "integrity applies to me, too"?
Until Thursday night, I'd never heard it said in this country.
The executive dinner talk to observe National Integrity Day was a precursor to the National Integrity Convention held in Kuching, Sarawak. The hotel ballroom was filled with some 350 leaders, politicians and civil servants.
"Seminar integriti, seminar integriti, seminar integriti!" huffed one civil servant. He'd been to so many, and was tired of hearing of integrity this and integrity that but not seeing it practised by the top leadership.
Not that integrity is a fashion or trend that needs to be set by the people at the top, but it would be some consolation to the masses to see their leaders living lives of integrity. If for nothing else, then at least to know that while the people themselves are leading honest, hardworking lives, the nation's treasure chest is not being emptied by those entrusted to guard it.
When Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah stood to give his speech on integrity, it was to a respectfully quiet audience who were looking forward to hearing wise words spoken.
Such is Raja Nazrin's reputation.
On paper, his speech was 30 paragraphs long, taking up five printed pages in size 10 font. But when spoken, it was enunciated so well, so thoughtfully and so sincerely that one hardly felt the time pass.
The full text can only really be appreciated in its original Malay, which was peppered with different words describing greatness of royalty and rule -- and all these responsibilities inextricably bound to integrity.
"Integrity is not a new theory, concept, creation or discovery. It is a basic principle which cannot be ignored; it is essential: a component that must be had, a character that must be lived to a convincing level; it is the prerequisite for determining an administration that is bersih, cekap, amanah (clean, efficient and trustworthy)....
"The fall of an empire, a monarchy, a nation and leadership is often caused by practices which ignore integrity....
"In the records of the history of the Malay Sultanate, integrity is the foundation that determines the sovereignty of a ruler, the majesty and nobleness of the monarchy, and the supremacy and greatness of a government."
Raja Nazrin then referred to 14th century texts of Malaccan laws and the Tuhfat al-Nafis, which prescribes that the main function of one who claims to be a ruler or raja is to uphold God's laws on earth. If the raja ruled according to his whims and ignored God's edicts, crisis would befall the nation.
He further referred to Hikayat Raja Pasai and notes by Tun Seri Lanang on the ruling administration of the Malay sultanate of Malacca, observing that the fall of rulers and governments past were because integrity was set aside to serve the raja's lust for power and property.
In giving the examples of the unethical practice of the Raja Melaka who kidnapped Tun Teja, who was betrothed to someone else, and the occasion where the Raja Melaka mistreated the bendahara's entire family only because he wanted Tun Fatimah, who was married to Tun Ali, Raja Nazrin, to his credit, did not look to history for texts that would give greater freedoms to royals and justify unjust acts. Rather, he chose those that highlighted what is unacceptable of rulers.
For instance, history has shown how rulers were brought down because of their excessive ways, like Sultan Seri Alam, who was removed from his throne because of his extravagant spending.
"In upholding integrity, there is a two-way line of communication between raja and subjects in the spirit of the contract between Demang Lebar Daun and Seri Teri Buana, which outlined the 'magna carta' of the royal-ruled Malays and is manifest in the phrase raja adil-raja disembah (a just ruler is a respected ruler).
"The raja is obliged to maintain high integrity to ensure the people's loyalty to him. Thus, rulers need to realise that with their position comes power, and with this power comes responsibility; therefore, each one who has power is actually undergoing a test of his values, trustworthiness, honesty, sincerity, justness and impartiality."
Stressing that the monarchy was not merely symbolic or useful for just opening events and attending parties, Raja Nazrin said "a raja acts on the advice of the government that is chosen by the people".
"However, if this advice runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, the law and justice, then a ruler must not follow this advice. He must not side on injustice or condone any action that does not reflect truth."
But, it was not just rulers or leaders that needed to have integrity. It was important for every citizen to have high integrity. A leader or citizen who had no integrity was the enemy within the nation.
"Integrity would cease to exist not only through the wrongful actions of the ruler or top leadership, but also when those responsible for checking-and-balancing the leaders do not possess the strength to correct wrongs."
Were Raja Nazrin's words that night mere rhetoric?
When the regent was scheduled to arrive at 8.15pm, he came. At 9.45pm when he was scheduled to give his speech, he gave it. At 10.30pm when the function was scheduled to end, the prince promptly shook hands with his hosts and left. Bedtime was a reasonable hour for all who attended.
The text of his speeches contain footnotes for his many references. This is not just the act of a scholar but also the act of an honest person. And remember, too, that this is the prince who paid for his wedding, even though, as the Raja Muda of Perak, he was entitled to use public funds. As a person of means, it is unconscionable to dip into the public purse, especially where you are the primary beneficiary. Also, in Islam, the man is the provider of the family. Therefore, if a man cannot pay for his wedding without going into debt in the process, then he is not ready for the responsibilities of setting up a family.
That Raja Nazrin has set these positive examples for everyone to look up to and follow lends greater meaning to his speech on integrity. Political leaders would do well to take his lead. It is ironic that, in this democratic nation, a handful of young royals like Raja Nazrin, who have not been elected to their positions, are fulfilling their responsibility to the nation and its people, vote or no vote. But, that is integrity.
Aniza Damis, NST Online 9 November 2008
