ABSTRACT
The position and role of the monarchy in public affairs are increasingly important questions in Malaysia that deserve more attention. In this chapter, the author engages with these questions through a shrewd examination of the evolving role of Malaysia's monarchy and its continuing relevance in the public sphere. In this respect, it illustrates the ways in which the Malaysian monarchies have developed and strengthened their domain of influence at a time where one would expect monarchies to be waning in relevance. However, the chapter inspires further inquiries and studies on the factors driving the rise of the Malaysian royalty. Thus, the dynamics in the relationship between the monarchy, law, and society, and the emergence of the 'Nazrinian' monarchy, are shaped not just by the changing attitudes among the royals themselves; they also respond to particular political and social exigencies of the day.
