Sultan Nazrin Shah warnings on Malaysian social values

During the 75th meeting of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) in Putrajaya, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak warned that the Malay community and Muslims in Malaysia are facing a “crisis of manners (adab).” The Sultan noted that societal collapse often begins with the erosion of values and expressed concern that debates are increasingly turning into disrespectful confrontations characterized by insults, unverified news, and the exposure of personal shame.

To address this, the Sultan called for strengthening ‘syura’ (consultation) and ‘adab’ (civility) to ensure differences of opinion are handled with respect and wisdom. He emphasized the need for a culture of listening, understanding, and verifying information within families, educational institutions, mosques, and administration.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed support for these sentiments, stating that ‘musyawarah’ (consultation) involves patience and wisdom beyond mere democracy. He added that positive adab serves as a foundation for building civilization and advocated for deeper engagement with Islamic heritage to guide conduct.