KUALA KANGSAR: Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today expressed his deep concern over the ongoing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza by Israel.
Sultan Nazrin said the world grapples with precarious conditions, and there is a looming fear that these conditions may further deteriorate if the crisis of competition and conflict persists, leaving violence and humanitarian crises unaddressed.
"It is profoundly disheartening to bear witness to the immense suffering endured by the people of Palestine, a consequence of the harsh actions of the Israeli Zionist regime - actions that defy comprehension within the bounds of human compassion.
"The plight faced by innocent individuals in Palestine evokes the haunting words uttered by Athenian forces to the people of Melos during the Peloponnesian War in 416 BC. The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.
"The people of Melos, who decided to remain neutral and not surrender, were subjected to a siege. All the male residents were killed, and the women and children were enslaved," Sultan Nazrin said in his speech at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 67th birthday celebration at Istana Iskandariah here, today.
Sultan Nazrin said an approach driven by self-centeredness and self-interest would inevitably lead down a destructive path.
"The tendency toward animosity and enmity, particularly among those in positions of power, leans more toward competition than cooperation.
"As a result, the endeavours to uplift humanity, eradicate poverty, address food shortages, and eliminate ignorance and illiteracy encounter mounting challenges.
"The world is grappling with issues related to the supply of goods and services, particularly the availability of food, which is becoming increasingly scarce, resulting in rising living costs and widespread hardships," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said in a world entangled in crises, the solution lies in the harmonious symphony of peace.
"Collaboration should supersede conflict, dialogue should prevail over disputes, and forgiveness should shine brighter than grudges.
"Let us acknowledge that peace surpasses war, that the foundation of humanity thrives in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, and let us be mindful that the dream of peace remains elusive without a shared sense of affection in our hearts," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the world longs for the light of peace, a brilliance that imparts hope and peace will only dawn when humanity chooses to understand one another.
"The resonance of truth and the effort to foster peace amidst the turbulence of conflict, in a world where competition and warfare too often seem to be the chosen paths, we require a different kind of courage, one not for the battlefield but the kind that emboldens us to stand up for everything true and honest.
"The Divine has granted humanity with hearts. Deep within each human heart lies a profound sense of empathy, kindness, and shared humanity. These inherent feelings should guide our words and deeds.
"Let us cease the race to expose faults, put an end to the act of defaming, curb the spread of slanderous rumours, deter efforts to undermine and destroy, and thwart conspiracies that seek to ruin one another, to pave the way for a safer world, greater tranquillity in our nations, and increased prosperity among our people," he said.
He added that in the pursuit of the state's prosperity and the well-being of its people, the Menteri Besar, along with the members of the Executive Council, should unwaveringly uphold the trust bestowed upon them and not disappoint the mandate granted by the people.
"It is our collective responsibility to ensure that citizens do not find themselves sifting through unfulfilled promises, with their hopes perpetually unmet.
