Palace, Political Party and Power:

A Story of the Socio-Political Development of Malay Kingship

---

Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian

As the author says in her preface to this book, Malaysia's kingship is worthy of study because during the postwar period when most other monarchies around the world were losing their powers, Malaysia's hereditary rulers enjoyed something of a revival in the post-independence period. This survey from the British colonial period up to the present day must be the most exhaustive and enlightening study of the monarchy during this period. The book's 447 pages include some black and white historical photographs, genealogical tables of all the ruling houses chapters on 1 - Introduction: The Monarchy, 2 - Malay Kingship under British Colonial Rule, 3 - Malay Kingship under the Japanese Occupation, 4 - Malay Rulers and Malay Subjects, Round One: Malayan Union, a Draw, 1946, 5 - And the Real Contest Began, Round Two: Advantage to the Rulers, 1948-51, 6 - The Battle Royale, Round Three: UMNO the Ultimate Victors, 1951-55, 7 - Roles Reversed: UMNO, Rulers and Constitution, 8 - Living Happily Ever After? The Rulers-UMNO Post Independence Relations followed by appendices of important documents, a glossary, bibliography and index. 

Weight: 0.8 kg.  Post free within Malaysia.