Sultan Nazrin's Message to the Malay Community

The National Unity Convention, held on November 8, 2017, at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam, was in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) as a national institution established specifically to develop Malay and Bumiputera human capital in our country.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has actually gone through various stages of development, originally starting with the presentation of paper number 10/1951 by the late Dato' Onn Jaafar in the Federal Legislative Council to establish the Rural and Industrial Development Authority, better known as RIDA. RIDA was established in August 1951 with the aim, among others, of improving the socioeconomic status and general well-being of the Malays.

Sultan Nazrin, as the 35th Sultan of Perak, also emphasized that the Malays must prove they are a respected nation, not one to be feared. This can be achieved by possessing noble values and high levels of civilization within themselves. In Sultan Nazrin's address while officiating the National Unity Convention at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) recently, he expressed his desire for the Malays to always maintain their dignity so that the Malay race has self-worth and does not easily become a laughing stock. The Malays must project an image of a respected people, not otherwise.

Prove that the Malay race is an intelligent one by stopping the act of creating various forms of entertainment or clownish imagery that turn them into a laughing stock. Every failure—every mistake made by a Malay child—brings shame upon the entire race.

Although the Malay community is a sensitive race, Sultan Nazrin also stated that it is more important for the Malays to prove they possess traits such as keeping promises, repaying debts, and not lying. This is a necessity, not just a statement. “Glorify the Malay race by enriching its manners and etiquette, its customs and traditions, its courtesy and its character.” In his speech, Sultan Nazrin also recounted the early history of the founding of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), where various efforts were made to provide opportunities for the Malays and Bumiputeras.

Among the points touched upon was the parliamentary session in 1976, where several Members of Parliament, including Lim Kit Siang, proposed that the Institut Teknologi Mara (ITM), now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), be opened to citizens of all races and not just to Malays and Bumiputeras.

The proposal was ultimately rejected outright by the Minister of Education at the time, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who stated that it was inappropriate to demand that unity be implemented only at the Institut Teknologi Mara (ITM) while many Chinese and Indians were pushing for the establishment of more Chinese and Tamil schools.

Video credit to the Chancellery and Corporate Communications Division

Watch the full video of the royal address at the National Unity Convention delivered by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-lah, recently. May his message be well-received and understood by the entire Malay community.