IPOH, April 2 (Bernama) — Knowledge should be instrumental in doing good deeds, seeking the truth and embracing honesty, and not to be used as a “cloak”, said Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.

He said learned people were those who would capitalise on knowledge to make sound judgement and evaluation based on facts and truths, and would not allow the element of malicious falsehood to cloud their thinking.

“The recognition given to learned people is often followed by trust and responsibility. Unfortunately, some of them fall prey to greed which leads to internal conflicts after gaining the trust, confidence, position and responsibility,” he said at the Ungku Omar Polytechnic 41st convocation here today.

Raja Nazrin said hence, the basic principle of the sanctity of knowledge would be destroyed due to material desires while trust, honesty and sincerity would dissipate.

“As a result, breach of trust, abuse of power, fraud and corruption are perpetrated not by ignorant people, but by learned people through manipulation and dishonesty,” he said, adding that, the weak and less educated, who banked their hope on learned people, were made to suffer.

Paying tribute to former Institute of Medical Research director Dr Ungku Omar Ahmad, for whom the polytechnic was named, Raja Nazrin said the late Ungku Omar championed the people through his devotion to education to produce national fighters, patriots and nationalists.

At the convocation, 2,817 students received their certificates and diplomas, including four pioneers who acquired an advance diploma in mechanical engineering.

Raja Nazrin Shah also presented the Ungku Omar Polytechnic Director Awards to Mohd Wali-Ya Din Shah Mohd Yusof, Muhamad Akif Zainal Abidin and Abdul Malik Shaari for outstanding academic and cocurriculum achievements.

— BERNAMA