KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah says a wise Ruler needs no additional power if the three rights as a constitutional monarch are handled wisely and prudently.

       The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong said the three rights were the right to give advice and views; encourage and motivate; and to remind.

       “I choose to give advice and views, give encouragement and motivation, as well as to remind,” he said at the launch of the Siri Titah Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah book at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here yesterday.

       Sultan Nazrin said the trust and gift bestowed by Allah, along with their responsibilities and functions, must be performed by a Ruler as perfectly as possible so that the institution of the monarchy remained relevant.

       He said history taught the lesson that the throne could disappear when a Ruler refuses to accept the right advice, was given the wrong advice, or become isolated and failed to get close to and understand the people.

       The Perak Sultan said it was the responsibility of the monarch to ensure harmonious relations, mutual respect and understanding between the palace and the people.

       He said a monarch has a responsibility to ensure that the spirit of the Constitution and the philosophy behind its provisions were understood and protected.

       “Every term and word enshrined in the Constitution has its own meaning, it must be interpreted wisely, subtly, thoroughly and accurately so that justice is served,” said Sultan Nazrin.

       The Sultan said although the role of the monarch was to rule and not to govern, the Ruler was still responsible for overseeing and ensuring a fair, just, orderly and transparent administration, as well as being a wise arbitrator to the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

       He said it was important to ensure there was check and balance, thus helping strengthen the people’s confidence in the practice of a transparent democracy.

       On the publication of the book, Sultan Nazrin expressed his appreciation to DBP and its director-general Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abg Shokeran, former director-general Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan, and editor Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini.

       The Sultan was overcome with emotion when he neared the end of his remarks.

       “At this moment of being blessed with glory and success by Allah, I should express my appreciation and gratitude to my (late) father, mother, teachers and leaders who have nurtured, taught and guided me.

       “I call on all of you to join me in reciting Al-Fatihah and may the reward from it be conveyed to the souls of our parents, teachers and leaders who have done so much for us,” he concluded.

       A copy of the book, which is a compilation of 36 speeches by Sultan Nazrin, was earlier presented to the Ruler by Awang, who is now the DBP board chairman.

       The book is divided into four parts, with the first part containing eight speeches on the royal institution, while the second part has seven speeches on governance.

       The third consists of 15 speeches on Islam and the fourth has six speeches on society and culture.

       According to DBP, the speeches were made by Sultan Nazrin between Aug 9, 2009 and Oct 5, 2016 in his capacity as the Raja Muda of Perak (April 15, 1987 to May 28, 2014), Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council president (July 1,1997 to June 12, 2014), Regent of Perak and since May 29, 2014 as the 35th Sultan of Perak.

       Awang said the speeches contained important messages on various issues for society to ponder, describing Sultan Nazrin as a ruler who often expressed the voice of the people from the throne. — Bernama