Monarchies in Malaysia

Monarchies in Malaysia

There are currently nine states in Malaysia that have hereditary monarchies. They are Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Terengganu. In addition, the rulers of these nine states elect among themselves the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state of Malaysia.[1]

All of these states are constitutional monarchies, which means that the rulers do not influence the politics of the state, although this convention has been breached on occasion.[fn 1][2] The rulers play a constitutional role as head of the religion of Islam in their respective states.[3] Malaysia itself is a constitutional monarchy, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong performing the ceremonial role of appointing the prime minister, who commands a majority in the Dewan Rakyat, Malaysia's lower house of Parliament.[4] Similarly, the rulers appoint the heads of government in their states, known as Menteri Besar (pl. Menteris Besar), who command majorities in the respective state legislative assemblies.

The four other Malaysian states that do not have hereditary monarchs have Yang di-Pertua Negeri (roughly translated as governor) as their heads of state instead. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and their roles are also largely ceremonial.[5]

Rulers and Yang di-Pertua Negeri convene triannually in the Conference of Rulers (Malay: Majlis Raja-Raja). The Conference exercises powers over matters related to religion, observances and ceremonies in Malaysia. It also elects the Yang di-Pertuan Agong every five years.[6]

Contents

Current monarchies

Kedah

According to the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, the Kingdom of Kedah was founded around 630 CE by Maharaja Derbar Raja, who arrived from Gameroon, Persia. The Sultanate of Kedah was founded when the last Hindu king, Phra Ong Mahawangsa, converted to Islam in 1136. He took the name Sultan Mudzafar Shah. Sultan Mudzafar's descendants continue to rule Kedah today.[7]

The seat of the Sultan of Kedah is Anak Bukit.[8]

Kelantan

After centuries of subordination by Majapahit, Malacca, Siam and Terengganu, Long Muhammad, son of Long Yunus, declared himself Sultan in 1800 and gained recognition as a tributary by the Siamese. Control over Kelantan was transferred to the British under the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.[9]

The state capital, Kota Bharu, also serves as the royal city. The main palace for ceremonial functions is Istana Balai Besar, while Istana Negeri serves as the current sultan's residence. The previous sultan, who is still living, resides at Istana Mahkota.[10]

Johor

The early Sultans of Johor claimed to be a continuation of the Malacca Sultanate. The first Sultan, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II was the son of the last Sultan of Malacca, who reigned from 1528. In the 19th century, with support from the British, the Temenggong family gained recognition as rulers of the state. Its first sultan, Maharaja Abu Bakar is known as the founder of "modern Johor". His descendants rule the state today.[11]

The Sultan of Johor resides in the capital, Johor Bahru.

Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan's monarchy incorporates a form of federalism, whereby the state is divided into smaller chiefdoms (luak), each with a hereditary (ceremonial) ruling chieftain (undang). These chieftains elect the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (Yamtuan Besar) of Negeri Sembilan.[12]

The first Yamtuan Besar was Raja Melewar, who united the nine small states of Negeri Sembilan, each of which were ruled by a local chieftain.[13] He was sent from the Pagaruyung Kingdom at the request of the Minangkabau nobility in the nine small states in the Malay Peninsula in the 18th century. Raja Melewar was succeeded by other princes sent from Pagaruyung, whose sons did not inherit the throne until Raja Raden in 1831, who was the son of Raja Lenggang.[14]

The seat of the Yamtuan Besar is Seri Menanti.

Chieftains / Undang

Chieftains are selected among the nobility in each Luak, following matrilineal inheritance, part of the state's adat perpatih customs. The Undang of Sungai Ujong is chosen among the Waris Hulu and Waris Hilir families, and inherits the title Dato' Kelana Petra Seri Jaya.[15] The Undang of Jelebu is elected among the four noble houses, Waris Jelebu, Waris Ulu Jelebu, Waris Sarin and Waris Kemin.[16] Undangs of Johol are a succession of members of a single family in the female line. The son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is usually the heir.[17] The Undang of Rembau alternates between the two major noble houses in the Luak, namely the Waris Jakun (who inherit the title Dato' Lela Maharaja) and the Waris Jawa (Dato' Sedia di-Raja). As with the undangs of Johol, the son of the eldest sister of the incumbent is the heir in the family.[18]

Luak Title Undang Reign since
Sungai Ujong Dato' Kelana Petra Seri Jaya Dato' Shah Bandar 1993
Jelebu Dato' Mendelika Mentri Akhir ul-Zaman Dato’ Haji Musa Abdul Wahab 1983
Johol Dato' Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Dato' Muhammad Abdul Ghani 2007
Rembau Dato' Lela Maharaja
or
Dato' Sedia di-Raja
Dato' Muhammad Sharif Othman 1999

Tampin

In addition, the district of Tampin has its own hereditary ruler, known as the Tunku Besar. The Tunku Besars of Tampin are descendants of Sharif Sha'aban Syed Ibrahim al-Qadri, the son-in-law of Raja Ali, a member of the state royal family who challenged the reign of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar in the early 19th century.[19]

District Title Incumbent Reign since
Tampin Tunku Besar Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri 2005

Pahang

The modern royal house of Pahang is a branch of the royal family of Johor. They held the title of Bendahara. In 1853, the Bndahara, Tun Muhammad Tahir, broke away from the Johor sultan and declared the state of Pahang independent. He was later deposed by his brother Ahmad, who declared himself Sultan in 1884.[20]

Perlis

Syed Hussein Jamalullail, the son of Syed Abu Bakar Jamalullail, the chief of Arau, and a daughter of Sultan Dziaddin of Kedah, was recognized as Raja of Perlis by the Siamese after helping them suppress a rebelliong by the Raja of Ligor, a microstate in the Pattani region. The Jamalullails are of Arab descent and continue to rule the state of Perlis.[21]

The seat of the Raja of Perlis is Arau.

Perak

Selangor

Terengganu

Succession

The succession order is generally determined roughly by agnatic primogeniture. No female may become ruler, and female line descendants are generally excluded from succession as well. The main exception is Negeri Sembilan. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the state is nominally elected by a council of Four Ruling Chieftains (Undang Empat), although succession stays within the state royal family.[22] In 1967, after the death of Tuanku Munawir, his son, Tunku Muhriz was not selected as the next Yang di-Pertuan Besar because of his youth. Instead, the Chieftains elected his uncle, Tuanku Jaafar, to succeed his father. In 2008, upon the death of Tuanku Jaafar, the Chieftains passed over Jaafar's son and elected Tunku Muhriz as the next ruler.[23]

Table of monarchies

State Monarch Succession Incumbent Born Age Reigns since Designated heir
 Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong elective monarchy Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin 22 January 1962 49 y. 13 December 2006 None; elected by Conference of Rulers
 Kedah Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Abdul Halim 28 November 1927 83 y. 21 September 1970 Tunku Abdul Malik, Raja Muda
(brother)
 Kelantan Sultan agnatic primogeniture Muhammad V 6 October 1969 42 y. 13 September 2010 Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, Tengku Mahkota
(brother)
 Johor Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Ibrahim Ismail 22 November 1958 52 y. 23 January 2010 Tunku Ismail Idris, Tunku Mahkota
(eldest son)
 Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar elective monarchy Tuanku Muhriz 14 January 1948 63 y. 29 December 2008 Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Tunku Besar Sri Menanti
(must be elected by Four Ruling Chieftains)
 Pahang Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Ahmad Shah 14 October 1930 81 y. 7 May 1974 Tengku Abdullah, Tengku Mahkota
(eldest son)
 Perlis Raja agnatic primogeniture Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin 17 May 1943 68 y. 17 April 2000 Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, Raja Muda
(eldest son)
 Perak Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Azlan Shah 19 April 1928 83 y. 3 February 1984 Raja Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda
(eldest son)
 Selangor Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Sharafuddin 24 December 1945 65 y. 21 November 2001 Tengku Amir Shah, Raja Muda
(eldest son)
 Terengganu Sultan agnatic primogeniture Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin 22 January 1962 49 y. 15 May 2008 Tengku Muhammad Ismail, Raja Muda
(eldest son)

Consorts

The title of the consort of a monarch is not generally fixed and not automatically obtained by courtesy. A consort may only use a title if it is granted to her either by order of the ruler or during a coronation ceremony.[24] The consorts of different states have different titles, some do not even receive one. The title of a consort in a state may also change depending on the ruler. For instance, the wife of Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu was known as the Tengku Ampuan Besar,[25] while the wife of his grandson Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin is known as the Sultanah (formerly Permaisuri).[26]

Titles of consorts usually take the form Cik Puan, Raja Perempuan, Sultanah, Tengku Ampuan, Raja Permaisuri, Tengku Permaisuri, or Permaisuri.[27]

List of consorts

State Monarch Consort Title Tenure
 Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah Raja Permaisuri Agong 13 December 2006 – present
 Kedah Sultan Sultanah Haminah Che Puan 1975 – 9 January 2004
Sultanah 9 January 2004 – present
 Kelantan Sultan none
(present Sultan is divorced)

Previous consort was known as Raja Perempuan
 Johor Sultan Raja Zarith Sofia none[nb 1] 22 January 2010 – present
 Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tuanku Ampuan Besar 29 December 2008 – present
 Pahang Sultan Kalsom Cik Puan 14 March 1991 – 30 September 1992
Sultanah 30 September 1992
 Perlis Raja Tengku Fauziah Raja Perempuan 14 July 2000 – present
 Perak Sultan Tuanku Bainun Raja Permaisuri 3 February 1984
 Selangor Sultan none
(present Sultan is divorced)

Previous consort was known as Tengku Permaisuri
 Terengganu Sultan Tuanku Nur Zahirah Permaisuri 19 July 1998 – 5 June 2006
Sultanah 5 June 2006 – present
  1. ^ Previous consort was incorrectly referred to as Sultanah

Royal Capital

States Royal capital Ruler title
Johor Johor Bahru (Pasir Pelangi) Sultan
Kedah Alor Setar (Anak Bukit) Sultan
Kelantan Kota Bharu Sultan
Negeri Sembilan Seri Menanti Yamtuan Besar (Yang di-Pertuan Besar)
Pahang Pekan Sultan
Perak Kuala Kangsar Sultan
Perlis Arau Raja
Selangor Klang Sultan
Terengganu Kuala Terengganu Sultan

Footnotes

  1. ^ In 2008, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu refused to appoint incumbent Idris Jusoh as Menteri Besar despite the latter's party winning a majority in the state assembly. Another member of the majority party was appointed instead.

References

  1. ^ "Malaysia country brief". dfat.gov.au. 10 October. http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/malaysia/malaysia_brief.html. Retrieved 19 February 2011. 
  2. ^ "Ku Li: Possible for king not to name Najib as PM". Malaysiakini. 2009-03-21. http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/100710. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  3. ^ Constitution of Malaysia:Article 3-2
  4. ^ Constitution of Malaysia:Article 43-2
  5. ^ "Appointment Of Persons To Important Posts". Malaysian Monarchy. http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/malaysianmonarchy/?q=en/appointment. Retrieved 2011-04-13. 
  6. ^ Constitution of Malaysia:Article 38-2(b)
  7. ^ "Kedah". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/kedah2.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  8. ^ Malaysia in history (1956). Malaysian Historical Society. Volumes 3-5, p 11.
  9. ^ "Kelantan". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/kelantan.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  10. ^ Muhammad Ismail Ibrahim (17 March 2011). Kelantan’s Castle: The Royal Palace. The Kelantan Times. Accessed 2011-06-13.
  11. ^ "Johor". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/johor.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  12. ^ "Negeri Sembilan". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/negri2.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  13. ^ S. Indramalar (2009-10-26). "History in the making: Negri Sembilan welcomes a new ruler after 40 years". The Star (Malaysia). http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/10/26/lifefocus/4878019&sec=lifefocus. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  14. ^ "Negeri Sembilan". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/negri2.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  15. ^ "Sungai Ujong". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/sungai.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  16. ^ "Jelebu". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/jelebu.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  17. ^ "Johol". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/johol.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  18. ^ "Rembau". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/rembau.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  19. ^ "Tampin". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/tampin.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  20. ^ "Pahang". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/pahang.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  21. ^ "Perlis". Royal Ark. http://www.royalark.net/Malaysia/perlis.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 
  22. ^ Radi Mustapha (2008-10-26). "Ceremony and protocol". Installation of the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir (Malay Mail). http://www.mmail.com.my/content/16837-installation-11th-yang-dipertuan-besar-negri-sembilan-tuanku-muhriz-ibni-almarhum-tuan. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  23. ^ "Tuanku Muhriz is new Negri Ruler". The Malaysian Insider. 2008-12-30. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/print/malaysia/Tuanku-Muhriz-is-new-Negri-Ruler/. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  24. ^ "No 'sultanah' title or special perks for 2 Johor consorts". New Straits Times. 2011-02-17. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:vGFdAFPSNT0J:www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2rou/Article/+sultanah+johor&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com#ixzz1OOrrBupS. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  25. ^ "Yang di-Pertuan Agong IV". His Majesty and Her Majesty. MalaysianMonarchy.org.my. http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/malaysianmonarchy/?q=en/ydpa4. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  26. ^ "Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIII". His Majesty and Her Majesty. MalaysianMonarchy.org.my. http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/malaysianmonarchy/?q=en/ydpa13. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 
  27. ^ "Schedule 6. Exemption From Tax", Income Tax Act 1967, 1967, http://www.kpmg.com.my/kpmg/publications/tax/22/a0053sc006.htm 

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