PUTRAJAYA – Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Raja Permaisuri Agong, has called on Malaysians to uphold adab (etiquette and moral discipline) as the guiding principle for innovation and progress in a rapidly evolving world.
Delivering the Royal Address at the Opening Ceremony of the Festival of Ideas Putrajaya 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Thursday, Her Majesty emphasised that every achievement must be accompanied by reflection on truth, rightful authority, and justice.
“Whatever form of advancement we pursue, it must always be guided by adab,” she said, underscoring that progress without moral grounding risks injustice and imbalance.
Her Majesty, who also serves as Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), highlighted the importance of adab in the use of social media.
Quoting Professor Dr Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud of the Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation (CASIS) at UTM, she reminded the audience: “Our words and actions are reflections of our thoughts and our soul.”
She warned that the loss of adab leads to injustice, which is a grave wrongdoing in Islam, as justice must be upheld even towards those one dislikes.
In the context of research and innovation, Her Majesty explained that adab requires transparency in methods, responsibility in pursuits, awareness of limitations, and advocacy for minority voices.
Her Majesty further noted that Islamic scholars throughout history have consistently urged the ummah to practice adab in all aspects of life, reinforcing its timeless relevance.
Turning to modern challenges, Her Majesty urged for the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), aligning with the UNESCO framework that places human dignity at its core.
She stressed that technological advancement must be balanced with ethical responsibility to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
The programme also featured presentations by Shaykh Professor Dr Hisham A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), London, and Associate Professor Dr Khairudin Aljunied of the National University of Singapore, both of whom explored themes of ethics, civilisation, and innovation.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, alongside academics, students, and international guests.
The Festival of Ideas Putrajaya 2025 serves as a platform to bridge academia, policy, and society, encouraging dialogue on how Malaysia can balance technological progress with cultural and ethical values.
Her Majesty’s address reinforced the message that adab remains central to building a just, innovative, and dignified society.
