Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah made pointed remarks about good leadership today - espousing virtues, and denouncing ruling through fear or corruption.

In his speech during the swearing-in of Umno's Kota Tampan state assemblyperson Saarani Mohamad as Perak menteri besar, the monarch said that power to lead comes from God - and thus a pious leader would submit wholly to the divine.

"His strength, protection, and defences come from God. He need not offer bribes or incentives to get support, which does not necessarily come with loyalty.

"Likewise, he need not make threats or intimidation to build his strength, as strength obtained through such means is very brittle in nature," His Majesty said at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.