IPOH: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has warned that corruption, abuse of power and betrayal from within pose greater threats to national integrity than any external enemy.
Drawing a stark lesson from history, Sultan Nazrin likened the nation’s growing tolerance for corruption and abuse of power to ancient China‘s Great Wall — a magnificent defence that ultimately failed not because of external might, but internal weakness.
“The wall was never broken. It was never climbed. Instead, the gates were opened from within. The enemy did not conquer the wall; they conquered the will of the men who guarded it. What failed was not the stone, but the spirit,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said this in his speech at the 2025 National Integrity Celebration, themed “Integrity as the Cornerstone of National Prosperity,” at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
He said Malaysia now faces its own version of that peril — a slow erosion of integrity that is eating away at the very foundations of governance and public trust.
“Almost daily, the news reports arrests, investigations, prosecutions, and trials involving corruption, breach of trust, leakages of public resources, cronyism and abuse of power.
“Reports expose the dominance of various cartels controlling key industries such as poultry, fish, rice, and other essential goods and services-as well as the unchecked influx of foreign and illegal workers.
“There are also accounts of large-scale illegal land clearing and sprawling unlicensed factories, gambling and entertainment centres, spas, massage parlours and brothels operating openly; environmental pollution threatening livelihoods; and public projects left abandoned.
“Some contractors fail to complete work on schedule; buildings collapse, equipment malfunctions, and procurements are made at prices far above market rates,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the nation’s reputation had suffered greatly, citing one of the world’s largest financial scandals that left Malaysia with massive debts and a weakened currency.
“It was reported that within the past two years alone, the government managed to recover RM15.5 billion in public funds misappropriated through corruption and money laundering,” he said.
He lamented that the Auditor-General’s Report continued to reveal disturbing weaknesses year after year — financial mismanagement, non-compliance, and questionable procurement practices.
“Cases of smuggling and tax evasion persist, often under the very watch of those entrusted to prevent them. As the proverb says, harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi — trusting the fence to protect, only to find it devouring the field,” he said.
What makes the situation more alarming, Sultan Nazrin added, is that such acts often occur with the collusion of enforcement officers.
“According to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the national crime index rose by 11.1 per cent in 2024, with 58,255 reported cases compared to 52,444 in 2023.
“In 2003, before the launch of the National Integrity Plan, Malaysia ranked 37th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
“By 2024, two decades later, Malaysia had fallen 20 places to 57th position. The lowest ranking in history — 61st place — was recorded in both 2018 and 2022,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the nation’s history also offered a solemn warning about the consequences of losing integrity.
“The fall of Melaka to the Portuguese in 1511 was not solely the result of foreign invasion; it was also enabled by betrayal from within.
“Accounts in Sejarah Melayu and Tomé Pires’ Suma Oriental show that weak administration, internal power struggles and treachery among some leaders, opened the door for foreign domination,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
