KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — The rampancy of abuse and corruption in Malaysia will make attempts to restore and uphold the rule of law arduous, said Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today.

Despite his caution, however, he said such efforts must be continued with gumption and commitment to resist those opposed to such a restoration.

"The restoration of the rule of law is always a far greater challenge than destroying it.

"It is not a task that can be undertaken with small steps, cynical compromises and half-hearted measures,” he said during his keynote address at the International Malaysia Law Conference 2018 at the Royale Chulan hotel.

The Perak Ruler added that the country’s institutions must be restored to their former strengths and reinforced against future attacks.

"In the face of escalating threats, such as executive interference with judicial independence, it is more important than ever that we develop effective strategies to strengthen the rule of law against corruption and abuses of power for generations to come,” he said.

But Sultan Nazrin said Malaysia should do more than just identify the individuals most directly responsible for the breakdown in the rule of law.

"The rule of law should also ensure that all persons, including governments, are held accountable to the law no matter how powerful or wealthy they may be,” he said.

The Perak Ruler also pointed out that steps were already being taken to revitalise the core institutions of democracy and good governance, including the Election Commission, Parliament, the judiciary, enforcement agencies and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"The recent change of government in Malaysia has given fresh impetus to efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the country and we look forward to all these important initiatives reaching full fruition.

"The people of Malaysia and the country deserve no less,” he said.