LETTER | The value of rich traditions in a democratic society

LETTER | The Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue (Acid) welcomes the remark by Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah that the Malay ruler’s role, beyond fulfilling constitutional responsibilities, is vital in bridging tradition with modernisation, enlivening the nation’s rich history and civilisation.

He said this  at the Pledge of Royalty and Investiture Ceremony in conjunction with his 68th birthday celebration at Istana Iskandariah in Perak today.

According to the ruler, “This legacy, shaped through respectful cultural practices, refined character and the beauty of language, forms the foundation for building a disciplined, advanced, modern and progressive nation.

“This role is exceedingly relevant and grows more so as our society faces various forms of cultural subversion and sabotage.”

His initial assertion on the flaws and dangers of manipulating ethnic and religious sentiments for political gains fits neatly with the importance of safeguarding and respecting cultural institutions from subversion.

The ruler has raised a very important discourse in a world where extreme secularism tends to erase the civilisational and religious roots of particular nations, with simplistic ideologies that tend to view the Human person as mere social and economic realities.

Acid is in view the civilisational legacy in the form of history and culture, mediated through customs and enriched by spiritual traditions is critical for societal progress since culture and traditions create national identities, besides providing wisdom that enlivens human life.

Such respect for tradition and culture, balanced with modern democratic institutions of justice and governance provides direction and stability in a nation.

For example, countries in the West that tend to deny their rich Christian heritage and learning from other civilisations, with its subjective relativism, has created a vacuum in society where people are trying to reclaim their lost identity through right-wing politics, and it usually takes on the form of social-economic grievances targeting migrants and non-natives.

The recent riots in the United Kingdom bear testimony to this fact. The native British people interviewed said that they needed to reclaim the culture that was lost in society, and the riots were not merely about economic grievances.

The rise of right or right-wing parties in Europe is the consequence of the perception of loss of cultural heritage, and socioeconomic inequalities and elites in those countries do not have a clue that one needs to appreciate their rich cultural and spiritual heritage that provides a secured identity.

The ruler's speech raised a very important point about the need to respect traditions and the role the monarchy provides in bridging traditions with modernity.

In other words, traditions have great wisdom that modernity needs and at the same token, traditions require modern institutions of justice as checks and balances against abuses.

The ruler’s advice is timely and food for thought in addressing complex challenges in Malaysia and the world at large.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.