EQUIP THE YOUNG WITH GOOD MORALITY, SOUND JUDGEMENT - CROWN PRINCE

RAWANG (Malaysia), June 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's future generations should
not only possess good academic results but also be equipped with good qualities
of character and leadership to face challenges as the future leaders of the
country, Crown Prince of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said Saturday.

He said that besides academic excellence, they should be equipped with three
elements -- civility and morality, appreciation for diversity in society, and
critical thinking and good judgement -- in order to succeed in modern world.

"Civility and morality (which is the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara)
define who we are. They govern our relationships. They entail the exercise of
discipline for the sake of living as a community.

"They give modern society much-needed stability," he said at the Kolej
Yayasan UEM Awards Day in Lembah Beringin near here Saturday.

Raja Nazrin Shah said that in crisis situations, civility ensures respect
for fellow citizens, where reasoning and constructive engagement would be the
chosen path rather than violent and rebellious behaviour, which could rip
society apart.

"But civility must go hand-in-hand with morality. It is not just about
polite
social behaviour but involves being morally accountable to the society for
one's actions," he said.

Raja Nazrin Shah said morality must be the cornerstone of how the people
conducted themselves in their personal lives, families, communities and
workplaces.

"When it is undermined, all these social institutions quickly collapse.
Consider what happens when children act immorally towards their parents, or
governments towards their citizens.

"What happens when employers exploit and ill-treat their workers or seek to
enrich themselves at the expense of society?

"Looking at the state of the global financial sector of late, it is evident
that regardless of how advanced and sophisticated the banking systems are, in
the end, what is most important is the integrity of those who control the
systems," he said.

"No system will work," he said, "if the people who manage it seek
opportunities
to exploit and abuse."

Raja Nazrin Shah said appreciation for diversity in society should also be
emphasised among the young generation.

Modern society, he said, was essentially multicultural and "becoming more
and
more so as the world continues to shrink."

Thus, individuals must be able to live, work and thrive in a global setting
and
they must become accustomed to pluralism and value its virtue, he said.

"This entails knowing languages, histories, norms and cultures other than
one's own, and being respectful of and receptive to different ideas and views,"
he said.

Touching on critical thinking and good judgement, he believed that "how much
students know is less important than their ability to explore what they do not
know in order to uncover a solution."

"The world has no shortage of knowledge but it could always do with more
understanding.

"Critical thinking, coupled with good judgment, will afford the young
generation the ability to look objectively at challenges at hand and make sound
decisions even if it means stepping out of comfort zones into unfamiliar
territories," he said.

Raja Nazrin Shah said a person was bound to faced with some forms of crises,
and dealing with daunting situations "gives us the opportunity to better
ourselves, to broaden our horizons, to take charge, lead and motivate others
towards producing positive outcomes."

"It is my fervent hope that with civility and morality, critical thinking
and good judgement, on top of your high level of intelligence, you will all
emerge from each crisis stronger and wiser," he said.

-- BERNAMA