Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein receiving the posthumous award on behalf of his grandfather, the late Datuk Sir Onn Jaafar, from Sultan Nazrin Shah. — Bernama photo
KUALA KANGSAR: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah yesterday said the wise words on nationhood and principles of nation-building of the leaders of yore should always be made a reference and guidance by the present generation.
Sultan Nazrin Shah said a people that succeeded in building a great civilisation was one that gave recognition to their past leaders who had spearheaded the struggle and founded the concept of nationhood.
“Prophet Muhammad pbuh himself had set a good example. Guided by the narrative of the Israk and Mikraj incidents, the Prophet showed respect for the past prophets, and valued their views when he received the command from Allah to pray.
“On this precept, the Prophet repeatedly asked for Allah’s compassion to reduce the number of prayer times from 50 to five for the whole day.”
Sultan Nazrin Shah said this at the investiture ceremony where 702 individuals received state awards and medals at the Throne Room of Istana Iskandariah, here, in conjunction with the ruler’s 59th birthday celebration.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi headed the list of recipients.
Sultan Nazrin Shah said appreciating the good deeds of past eminent figures should be made a culture by today’s citizens.
“In the spirit of recognising the contributions of these past figures, I have decided, in conjunction with the official celebration of my birthday this time, to posthumously confer awards on a number of prominent figures who gave their life to the nation,” he said.
The Sultan said Malaysia’s history of independence was still new and short, and therefore should not be fast forgotten.
He said the nation was indebted to its first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and his compatriots, among them, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Siew Sin and Tun V T Sambanthan.
Sultan Nazrin Shah also said that the government must be supported by administrators and technocrats who upheld the culture of honesty and firmness in expressing their rights, in line with the advice of Tun Abdul Razak in his speech themed, ‘The Road to Nationhood’:
“As civil servants, I hope you will stand up to us politicians, and not allow yourselves to be dominated by us. Because in a true democracy, the civil servants have a duty to perform. The future of our country’s democratic way of life is dependent on you.”
The six individuals conferred posthumous awards by Sultan Nazrin Shah were Datuk Sir Onn Jaafar and Datuk Panglima Bukit Gantang Abdul Wahab Toh Muda Abdul Aziz who received the Darjah Seri
Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM); Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmy and Aminuddin Baki (Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak – SPMP); Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong (Darjah Seri Panglima Taming Sari – SPTS) and Anthony Kevin Morais (Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak – DPMP). — Bernama