[ 95 ] CHAPTER SIX Malaysia’s multi-monarchy: surviving colonisation and decolonisation Anthony Milner Modern Malaysia is characterised by its elaborate monarchy, as well as by its sharply plural society – a Muslim-Malay majority, but with very large Chinese and Indian minority communities. There is not just one royal ruler: apart from the country’s King (or Yang di-Pertuan Agong), nine of the states in the federation (which consists of thirteen states and three federal territories) have Rulers (seven with the title ‘Sultan’). Every five years, the Rulers choose one among them to be King. The country, not surprisingly, has many royal family members with the titles ‘Tengku’ and ‘Raja’; and many royal subjects from every ethnic group are awarded royal titles – such as ‘Datuk’, ‘Datuk Seri’, ‘Tan Sri’ and ‘Tun’. Royal ceremonies, especially royal birthdays, are glittering affairs, with crowds of participants – often dressed in sump- tuous songket (brocade fabric), and seated largely according to rank – witnessing royal speeches and the bestowal of royal titles. Malaysia is not the only Asian country where monarchy has sur- vived, but it is unique in being a multi-monarchy state. It is also true that things might have turned out differently – as they did in Burma, Indonesia, India and many other countries. This chapter argues that the tenacity of monarchy in Malaysia was due not only to the particu- lar colonial experience but also to specific qualities in the institution itself, and in the practice of Malay diplomacy. Before the British and Dutch established their authority across the Malay Archipelago, mainly in the nineteenth century, there were numerous monarchies – often called ‘kerajaan’ – not only on the Peninsula but also on Sumatra, Borneo and other islands. Many had populations of only thousands or tens of thousands, and they tended to rely on trade. They had converted to Islam one after another, commenc- ing in the thirteenth century, and were defined by the personal relation between ruler and subject, rather than by territorial boundaries. Today, the Peninsular monarchies tend to be referred to as ‘Malay Sultanates’, ALDRICH PRINT.indd 95 ALDRICH PRINT.indd 95 24/01/2020 12:10 24/01/2020 12:10