Eleanor Finch
While monarchic rule was once the most common form of government in Asia, only a handful of royal families remain today. Four out of ten Southeast Asian nations preserve various kinds of monarchy, ranging from absolute, constitutional, and ceremonial. Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia have constitutional monarchies with monarchs as titular heads of state. Japan has the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, with a constitutional monarchy in which the emperor has no political power but remains a popular figure. The future of monarchies in Asia depends on their ability to adapt to the rising desire for democracy and act as a complementary force.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutional monarchies in Southeast Asia | 3 |
| Names of the constitutional monarchies in Southeast Asia | Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand |
| Number of ruling monarchies in Southeast Asia | 1 |
| Name of the ruling monarchy in Southeast Asia | Brunei |
| Country with the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world | Japan |
| Country with the longest-reigning monarch in the world | Thailand |
| Country with the longest-serving leader in the Arab world | Sultan |
| Country with the youngest sovereign in the world | United Arab Emirates |
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What You'll Learn
Brunei has an absolute monarchy
Brunei is one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world today. It is the only absolute monarchy in Asia, with the Sultan of Brunei as the head of state and head of government. The Sultan is also the King, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is the official 'guardian and protector' of Islam and tradition in Brunei. The Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the Sultan, is responsible for creating laws, overseeing budgets, and voicing objections to the executive branch's actions. However, it has no political authority, and Brunei has not held direct parliamentary elections since 1962. The country has been under a state of emergency since 1962, which has allowed the Sultan to retain absolute authority and pass any legislation deemed necessary.
The rarity of absolute monarchies makes studying their outcomes challenging, and there may be overestimated contentment with the Bruneian sultan and government due to preference falsification. Brunei's high oil revenue has enabled it to provide extensive social services, including free education and healthcare, which has helped maintain regime stability and legitimacy. The lack of national elections limits political involvement and opposition, and racial and religious minorities face challenges in participating in politics. While there is one legal political party, the National Development Party (NDP), it has pledged allegiance to the monarch.
Brunei's legal system is based on British common law, with a parallel Syariah law system for Muslims that takes precedence in certain areas. In 2014, Brunei adopted strict Syariah criminal law applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims. The country gained independence from British rule in 1984 and has a national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja, or 'Malay Islamic Monarchy', blending norms of Malay culture, Islamic religion, and the political framework of monarchy.
While most Asian countries have moved away from monarchic rule, Brunei has entrenched its absolute monarchy. The role of monarchs in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia remains influential, even amid political instability. Brunei's monarchy has survived due to a combination of welfare provisions, religious authority, and the continuity of sacred and cultural symbolism associated with monarchy.
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Japan has a constitutional monarchy
During the Allied occupation of Japan at the end of World War II, constitutional reforms were imposed that stripped the emperor of his powers. The role is now entirely representative and ceremonial. Akihito, the previous emperor, abdicated the throne in 2019, becoming the first emperor to do so in more than two centuries.
Japan is not the only country in Asia with a constitutional monarchy. Three other countries in Southeast Asia—Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand—also have constitutional monarchies. Brunei has a ruling monarchy, while Indonesia has forms of monarchy that thrive within a republican context at the regional level.
The future of monarchies in Asia and globally has been questioned, especially in the age of democratic consciousness. Some argue that the existence of monarchies may be manipulated by elites or even the monarchs themselves to pre-empt the destructive or destabilizing effects of modernization. However, monarchies have survived in some countries due to their constant reinvention and willingness to concede power to keep up with political developments.
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Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy
Malaysia is one of the few countries in Asia with a constitutional monarchy. It practices parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy. The country gained independence from British rule in 1957, and the first general election was held in 1959. The Malaysian Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with 222 elected members in the House, and each member represents a parliamentary constituency.
The King of Malaysia is the head of state and is referred to as 'His Majesty the King'. He is the Paramount Ruler, and the hereditary rulers of the nine states and the Council of Malay Rulers are also allocated by the Constitution. The King has the power to safeguard the customs and traditions of the Malay people and the administration of the Islamic religion in each state. He is the Head of the Islamic religion for the states of Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territories. Additionally, the King is the Highest Commander of the Armed Forces. The King carries out his duties under the Constitution with the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The hereditary rulers are the Head of State of their own state and perform their duties with the guidance of their Menteri Besar. The position of the King is selected by the Council of Rulers, which consists of nine hereditary rulers from the Malay States, through a secret ballot. The position has traditionally been rotated through the State rulers, initially based on seniority.
The monarchy in Malaysia has considerable power and influence, and it plays a role in political stability. Despite constitutional limitations, the monarchy has been dragged into politics due to its power and influence, especially during times of political uncertainty and instability. The King of Malaysia is a constitutional monarch, and the role is selected from among the Malay rulers by the Conference of Rulers.
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Cambodia is an elective constitutional monarchy
Cambodia is one of the few elective constitutional monarchies in the world. The country's monarchy has a long tradition as a symbol of the continuity of the nation. The Cambodian monarchy was abolished in the 1970s due to a change in the form of government, but it was re-established according to the 1993 constitution. Since then, the king of Cambodia has been an elected monarch, chosen by the Royal Council of the Throne, a council of several senior political and religious figures. The king is elected for life from members of the two royal houses who are at least 30 years old. The current king, Norodom Sihamoni, has been in power since 2004 and fulfils a mainly ceremonial role. The constitution declares that the king "shall reign, but not govern" and is a "symbol of national unity and continuity".
The Cambodian monarchy has its roots in the pre-colonial era, but it was the French who set up the elective monarchy system for Cambodia by colonial authority. This was in contrast to a hereditary monarchy, which was automatically passed down as a family inheritance. The idea of electing a king was considered appropriate, and King Sihanouk was chosen.
The king of Cambodia fulfils other roles not explicitly mentioned in the constitution in his capacity as head of state. This includes presiding over events of national significance, such as religious ceremonies and traditions integral to the Khmer nation, supporting humanitarian and philanthropic causes, and representing Cambodia abroad when undertaking official visits overseas. The king also serves as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, meets with the Prime Minister on a monthly basis, and appoints a fixed number of members to serve on state institutions such as the Senate and the Constitutional Council.
Cambodia is one of several countries in Southeast Asia where monarchy has thrived, blending traditions of kingship from the pre-colonial era with modern forms of constitutional rule. Other countries in the region with monarchs as titular heads of state include Brunei, Thailand, and Malaysia.
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Thailand is a constitutional monarchy
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It is one of the few countries in Asia with a monarchical form of government, along with Brunei, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Thailand's transition to a constitutional monarchy occurred in 1932 after a revolution ended 150 years of absolute monarchy under the Chakri dynasty. The country's first written constitution was issued, and the role of the monarch was transformed into a symbolic head of state, with powers exercised by a prime minister and a national assembly. The king of Thailand has little direct power under the constitution but remains a symbol of national identity and unity.
The politics of Thailand are conducted within the framework of this constitutional monarchy, with the prime minister serving as the head of government and a hereditary monarch as the head of state. The judiciary branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The National Assembly of Thailand, as the legislative branch, consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
While the monarchy's role has been reduced to a largely ceremonial position, it still wields influence and power, especially in times of political instability. The monarchy in Thailand has been dragged into politics due to its power and influence, despite constitutional limitations. The king's role as a figurehead and symbol of unity has been crucial in maintaining stability during periods of political upheaval.
The current king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne in 2016 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for seven decades and was a revered figure in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four countries in Southeast Asia that have constitutional monarchies: Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has absolute power and is not bound by a constitution. In a constitutional monarchy, the role of the monarch is outlined in a constitution, and their powers are limited by it.
The role of a constitutional monarch is often ceremonial and symbolic. They may be seen as a figurehead or a symbol of national unity and harmony. They may also perform essential checks on the power of elected legislators.
