"NO man can get rich in politics unless he's a crook."
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has shared a quote by the 33rd president of the US, Harry S Truman, about politicians who use their positions for personal gain.
In a post shared by the Selangor Royal Office on Facebook, the Sultan expressed that he was “struck” by a specific quote attributed to the 33rd US President and wished to share its wisdom with the people.
"The Sultan also graciously shared a follow-up quote, which reads: 'If the wealthiest people in your society are politicians, that society is fundamentally corrupt.'
"A reflection for all of us. May it be beneficial," the post said.
The ruler, however, did not elaborate on whom the quotes were directed at.
The Selangor Royal Office explained that Sultan Sharafuddin intended for these quotes to serve as “food for thought” for all Malaysians, expressing hope that the message would be of benefit to the nation.
The Sultan of Selangor has long been a vocal advocate for integrity and good governance.
The message comes amid increasing public attention to graft in public service, brought about in part by the government’s ongoing efforts to address corruption that has become systemic.
Earlier, the Selangor Royal Council dismissed claims that the recent royal address at the state assembly by the Sultan interfered with the state government's administration. – May 7, 2026
