Our subject today, inescapably, is royalty, given the recent, transcendent breaking news – the Diamond Jubilee in the UK – eclipsing all else on the global radar screen. The Eurozone has gone into meltdown. The UK, while in no way sharing the economic funk of Greece or Spain, is still facing the prospect of an economic crisis. But trust the Brits. In their hour of despair, they came up with a unique solution eclipsing even the threatened doom and gloom scenario. And in little Malaysia we echoed this with our own display of royalty in the installation of a new Agong.

The coming together of these two royal spectaculars served to remind us about and confirm the special relationship and bond between us. After all, the British Empire was one on which the sun was never supposed to set and we were a colony.

Asia, as a whole, has a special affinity for monarchy. The Yellow Emperor of China of ancient times and today’s enduring Imperial thrones of Japan and Thailand all, especially the former, have bestowed on them nothing less than divine status. When Japan was finally defeated in the last world war, some fell on their swords at the disgrace, and the Emperor conspicuously has never apologized for the atrocities committed.

Britain and Malaysia, Two Unique Monarchies

Among the remaining monarchies worldwide, Britain and Malaysia are unique. Queen Elizabeth is sovereign to 16 countries in the Commonwealth, whilst we have no less than nine royal rulers at State level in Malaysia, the most in the world in one country. The system was extended at Independence (when they still wanted almost all things British) to create an overall King – a Constitutional Monarchy. All the traditional rulers are hereditary and lifelong, but the Yang di Pertuan is elected with a typical Malaysian stamp. The throne rotates every five years. Malaysia is renowned for its ability to share – exemplified in recent times in by the egalitarian policy of 1Malaysia.

These traditions also evolve with the times. The present new Agong, Tuanku Halim, has the distinction of being the only one ever to be elected to the throne twice. He has been both the youngest king, in his previous reign, and now, at 84, the oldest.

Traditions and Class Distinctions

Malaysia is a very patriarchal and hierarchical society with the different layers of elite topped, of course, by the royals. All have their appropriate titles, and with them honorifics, the recitation of which can go on seemingly endlessly at public functions. Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun-Tun and Toh Puan-Toh Puan, YBhg.Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Puan Sri-Puan Sri, Datuk-Datuk and Datin-Datin etc. All the above reverberates, then is repeated in turn for all successive speakers.

However, it should be noted there are none of the class distinctions or snobberies that can still be found in the UK. Here in Malaysia, no one asks “What does your father do?” or “Where did you go to school?” They let it be known Cameron is a fifth cousin of the Queen. Here, Hari Raya and all the other festivals are marked by the unique, Malaysian-invented “Open House.” You can go to the Istana or the Prime Minister’s House to pay your respects. Equally, you can visit your driver’s home in the kampong to be treated by the same lavish hospitality.

What we have instead of class distinction, is the unique factor of power distance: the status and deference gap between high and low with appropriate homage and honorifics. They hub of social life in the States is the Palace, and the social spectrum lies between Mosque and Palace.

A Change of Monarchy

We may compare this with Singapore which, in 1965, broke away from Malaysia and opted to be a Republic, abolishing any system of royalty or aristocracy – no titles, no pomp and ceremony. Though it effectively eschews royalty, some might suggest its policies are more akin to those of a dictatorship than a republic.

Meanwhile in the UK, the monarchy evolves. William, the heir to the throne, has married a commoner in a love match not an arranged one. Kate arrived as a commoner in her father’s car but left a Princess in Prince Phillip’s royal Aston Martin. She declined in the service to say “obey,” which may auger for their relationship to come. The ceremony was a blend of old and new. William was not allowed to take his sword into the church.

We in Malaysia will find out more when the young Royals visit this country later this year. Meanwhile, 36.7 million people from round the world watched the above ceremony; the blogosphere has accomplished the death of distance, but not the death of the royalty system which today, in both UK and Malaysia, flourishes and is revered, arguably more than anywhere else in the world.

Which permits me to end this article with “Daulat Tuanku” – long live the King.

This article was written by Datuk Paddy Bowie for The Expat magazine.
Source: The Expat August 2012
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