Game of Thrones, Malaysia style: monarchy takes on Mahathir as long-running feud resurfaces

Political clashes over who has the power to appoint ministers, but observers say crux of matter is a tussle over exact constitutional role of monarchy

This is the second of a four-part series on Malaysian politics a year on from the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s historic election victory on May 9, 2018

Reading Time:6 minutes

Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, second from right, receives his oath from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during his coronation at National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Malaysia Information Ministry via AP

Published: 9:00am, 28 Apr 2019Updated: 11:17am, 9 May 2019

As PRIME MINISTER Mahathir Mohamad nears his first anniversary back at the pinnacle of Malaysian politics, his bumpy history with the country’s royal houses is resurfacing – and proving to be one of the biggest headaches for his fledgling administration.

The Pakatan Harapan government, the victor in last year’s historic election, has found itself mired in skirmish after skirmish with the country’s hereditary monarchs.

Mahathir Mohamad and allies celebrate after last year’s election. Photo: Reuters

The clashes span a range of issues, but political observers say the crux of the matter is a tussle over the exact constitutional role of the Malay sultans, who can trace their lineage back to the 12th century.

Mahathir, back in power after serving as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, has long held that the monarchs’ powers in modern-day Malaysia should be subordinate to the elected government – similar to how it works with Britain’s monarchy.

But the royals’ recent words and actions show they do not hold the same view.

Malaysia not an ‘absolute monarchy’, says Mahathir as feud with monarchs rages on

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