But now that the federal government has a majority of no less than two votes in parliament, the king’s decisions have develop into crucial in determining whether Muhyiddin’s administration stays or goes. The monarch has the constitutional power to appoint a first-rate minister or reject a request to dissolve parliament until an election, which in normal times only confirms the vote or the suggestion of the incumbent government.
The lack of a transparent mandate for the present prime minister now gives the king greater weight, including in his statements on political issues reminiscent of the budget or the suitable response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Today, members of the royal family are becoming more visible and more assertive in politics,” said Johan Saravanamuttu, an assistant professor on the John Paul II School of International Studies. S. Rajaratnam, who has been writing about Malaysian politics for over 30 years. “He actually makes important policy decisions.”
The king’s influence can be tested over the following few weeks. He expressed “full confidence” in Muhyiddin’s ability to steer the country through the crisis and urged lawmakers to vote in favor of the budget presented by his government on November 6. If it is just not passed, pressure will increase on the prime minister to resign or call for an election – increasing the danger for investors already concerned about rising coronavirus cases.
The palace didn’t respond before publication to emailed questions on the role of the monarchy in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s rotating monarchy consists of the rulers of the nine Malay states. The position of king is passed between rulers, and every term lasts five years.
After the country gained independence in 1957, the sultans and the ruling coalition led by the United Malays National Organization (Umno) largely maintained mutually helpful relations.
After Mahathir’s first 22-year term in power led to 2003, the sultans “found ways to return back into the highlight,” said Greg Lopez, a lecturer on the Murdoch University Executive Education Center in Perth.
“They are the center of power, so politicians know it is a mistake to give them power because then they keep you in check,” he said. “So weak politicians, weak leaders go to them.”
Muhyiddin ‘considers resigning’ after king rejects contingency plan
Muhyiddin ‘considers resigning’ after king rejects contingency plan
Many in Malaysia welcome the king’s increased role, seeing him as a voice of reason at a time of political instability, economic hardship and unrest related to the pandemic. When the king lifted the emergency, “#daulattuanku,” which roughly translates to “long live the king,” was trending on Twitter.
Edge Last month, the newspaper reported that police had arrested an area opposition politician for seditious comments in regards to the monarchy posted on Facebook.
The monarch’s actions this yr were “unprecedented,” said Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow on the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. “The monarchy is in a much more constitutionally empowered position.”
