18-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a climate of political uncertainty and growing societal divisions, Malaysia’s constitutional monarchs have increasingly stepped into the fray, asserting their influence as unifying figures and arbiters of communal harmony. The recent interventions by the royal households, particularly on contentious issues such as the “KK mart socks” controversy, have cast a spotlight on the Anwar Ibrahim government’s struggles to unite a nation grappling with deep-rooted fault lines.
At the forefront of these royal calls for unity stands the formidable presence of the King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. On April 9, he summoned leaders from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) – key members of the governing coalition representing often conflicting Malay nationalist and secular interests, respectively – in an effort to defuse the tensions surrounding the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah.”
In a poignant appeal, Sultan Ibrahim urged, “I hope political leaders are not extreme in giving their views on religious and racial matters. Leaders should be bridges between our plural citizens.” The meeting, which included UMNO deputy president Mohamad Hasan, DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong, and UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh, aimed to draw a line under the divisive controversy.
Akmal Saleh, however, has been the most vocal politician demanding retribution against KK Super Mart, the convenience store chain at the center of the storm, despite their apology for the offending footwear that found its way into a shipment of over 18,000 pairs of socks. Allegations of insulting Islam have since surfaced, involving shoes and prayer mats, further fueling the tensions.
While analysts acknowledge the role of the monarchs in restoring calm and order, they also express concerns about the potential implications for Malaysian democracy. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ (RSIS) Malaysia programme coordinator Ariel Tan cautioned, “The King is helping to restore calm and order as PM Anwar’s government appears to have been having trouble putting this issue to bed. The next time such an incident occurs, more people would look to the King.”
Tan further highlighted the precedent set by Sultan Ibrahim’s proactive role in handling the “Socks” controversy, suggesting that his influential persona as the hands-on ruler of the southern state of Johor has reinforced his position as a key player in the nation’s political landscape.
This trend of royal activism has been gaining momentum in recent years, paralleling the monarchs’ growing involvement in political affairs. The powers of the rulers, while limited to certain areas such as appointing chief ministers, dispensing pardons, and overseeing matters related to Islam and Malay affairs, have taken on a more prominent role as Malay-centric political party UMNO’s aura of invincibility began to crumble in 2008, ultimately leading to their loss of power a decade later.
Independent political analyst Adib Zalkapli attributes this general trend of royal activism to “the failure of the democratically elected leaders to perform, forcing the monarchy to step up.” He cited the “socks case” as an example where “democratically elected leaders failed to de-escalate the situation or, worse, played a leading role in stirring communal tensions,” necessitating the King’s intervention as a unifying figure.
In some instances, the royals’ involvement has been justified, such as when the then Agong, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad of Pahang, had to decide on a prime minister who commanded the majority amidst multiple party defections by Members of Parliament in 2020 and 2021. Sultan Abdullah had also initially declined a government request to declare a state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, before acceding to it the following year.
However, both Sultan Abdullah and the current Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, have warned against the toppling of governments due to defections, effectively granting Anwar “royal protection” against a loss of majority. This move, while aimed at preserving stability, has raised concerns about the erosion of civilian administration’s legitimacy.
Historian Eddin Khoo, founder-director of cultural organization Pusaka, likened the situation to “the old is dying and the new cannot be born,” referring to philosopher Antonio Gramsci’s concept of a societal vacuum in which a primeval institution like the monarchy finds comfort. “In a way, the Agong is attempting to establish himself as ‘the fount of Malay interest’ by subverting a further Malay tendency towards the nationalist and religious right,” Khoo said, adding, “The question then is: ‘What is the real future of civilian administration?'”
Critics have also pointed to the failure of authorities to administer justice fairly in the aftermath of the “Socks” controversy. While those deemed to have offended Islamic sensibilities have faced legal consequences, including the suspension of business licenses, seizure of goods, and imprisonment, vigilantes who physically intimidated the accused have gone unpunished. Furthermore, three KK Super Mart stores have been targeted by firebombs, with no word on whether any suspects have been identified.
This uneven application of justice coincides with ebbing support from the Malay-Muslim majority for the Anwar-led government. Tan notes how UMNO Youth chief Akmal has been treated with care by the authorities, with Anwar himself feeling compelled to clarify that Akmal had not been arrested but merely called in by police for questioning. “UMNO also appeared to be presented as the representatives of Muslims despite the recent decline in support among its Malay base,” Tan observed.
Such populist tendencies bode ill for further reforms down the road, particularly the looming need to slash subsidies – which regularly account for over a fifth of the national budget – in a bid to contain government liabilities that have surpassed RM1.5 trillion (S$426.5 billion), more than 80 percent of the country’s domestic output. While policymakers aim to ensure Malaysia’s poorest still have access to targeted subsidies or cash transfers, the cuts will inevitably have a knock-on effect on inflation, hurting Malaysians across the board at a time when the government’s approval ratings have dived below 50 percent.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, the question arises: Will the monarchs – and should they – extend their influence to strictly policy matters, beyond their traditional role in issues of social cohesion and religion?
Adib believes that royals “playing an active role in policy formulation” would represent “a new normal” in a “trend that is set to continue for some time,” potentially calling into question “the credibility and authority of the executive government.”
As Malaysia navigates these turbulent waters, the delicate balance between the elected government and the influential monarchy will be put to the test.
