Malaysia’s monarchy charts a new course amid political flux

Malaysia’s monarchy charts a new course amid political fluxUnstable coalitions have created greater room for the country’s royal institutions to influence government formation, observers say8-MIN READ8-MIN0ListenPublished: 8:00am, 8 Aug 2026When Malaysian artist Darwisy Mustafani received a commission to paint the country’s king and queen, he did not reach for an ordinary canvas.Instead, the 25-year-old from the northeastern city of Kota Bharu transformed songket – the lustrous handwoven fabric once reserved for Malay courts and ceremonial dress – into a portrait of the sultan and his wife before a golden-domed palace.The portrait, commissioned in 2024 by Malaysia’s police force as a gift for Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah, opened a door Darwisy had never expected. Further royal commissions followed, including work linked to other Malaysian palaces and Brunei’s royal household.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x