Ceritalah ASEAN - Monarchies make a comeback with social media

The Crown Prince of Johor, (a state in southern Malaysian) Tunku (Prince) Ismail Sultan Ibrahim – an avid polo-player who heads Malaysia’s Football Association – often talks more sense than most of his country's politicians.

After decades in retreat, Southeast Asia's royal families are staging a dramatic come-back and nothing captures their current confidence better than last week's extravagant celebrations for the Sultan of Brunei's 50 years on the throne – making him the world’s longest-reigning monarch after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

The subsequent State Banquet was attended by dignitaries from all over the globe, including a slew of Malaysian royals, Indonesia's Joko Widodo, the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (who looked more regal than most of the blue-bloods present).

But there’s more: in “republican” Indonesia, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X was reappointed Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. He alone amongst Indonesia's thirty-four provincial heads retains power without having to undergo an election, in recognition of his forbearers’ crucial support for the Indonesian Revolution.

Still, the Sultan remains an extremely popular figure – recognized as a key bulwark against external influences, reinforcing the city's distinctive Javanese character.

Around the same time and in a rare moment of outspokenness, the Council of Rulers of Malaysia (comprising of the country's nine sultans) issued a statement warning against religious exclusivism.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, a year of full mourning is reaching its apex as the Kingdom prepares for the cremation of its late and much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

Hundreds of thousands of Thais are expected to flood Bangkok's streets as the entire nation pauses to reflect on the man who steered his realm through seven decades of both peace as well as turmoil and the reality of his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X) – an infinitely less-sympathetic figure – sets in.

Increasingly, younger Royals are bolstered by social media. This has given them a platform outside the stultifying confines of palace life.

For instance, the Facebook page of the Johor Southern Tigers football club (which Tunku Ismail headed before taking over the national association) has become an unofficial mouthpiece for the state’s royal family. With nearly 2 million likes, the page’s reach easily dwarfs that of establishment outlets.

In Brunei, Prince Abdul Mateen has graced the cover of GQ magazine. His abovementioned Instagram account regularly features posts of him piloting planes, petting tiger cubs and playing polo.

As social media has become integrated into our lives, these royals have adapted accordingly. Their determination and skill in wielding Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have propelled their profiles, making them immensely popular – so much so that in Malaysia, they are eclipsing the much-maligned political elite.

Given their mounting confidence, some have chosen to use their influence in public life.

For example, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has spoken out against religious segregation. When a launderette in his state sought to impose a Muslims-only policy for customers, the Sultan demanded (and got) the policy revoked, affirming his vision of a Bangsa Johor—a Johor for all Johoreans. His actions were later reinforced by the pronouncement of his brother Rulers mentioned earlier.

Subsequently, a preacher reportedly on the payroll of the federal religious affairs department criticized the Sultan’s decision, only to be severely rebuked by netizens backing the Johor royal family.

The Johor Ruler said he would cut ties with the federal religious body. The cleric was arrested for several days, while the state of Selangor revoked his credentials to preach in its mosques. Such a bold move is unprecedented in the history of the majority-Muslim nation.

In Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan – whose family has ruled the city since 1755 – has called for an extension of a moratorium on new licences for hotels. He has also rejected plans for a toll road there, citing concerns about overdevelopment and a flood of tourists that would overwhelm residents.

In the oft-messy, always changing media landscape of the 21st Century, some royal families have clearly seized the opportunity to reach out to their subjects, bolster their image and reassert their political relevance.

Of course, this also exposes them to the free-wheeling nature of social media, where criticisms and trolling between users are inevitable.

Inevitably, social media's democratizing impulses can and do create tensions with traditional ideas of royalty being inviolate. Several netizens across the region (especially in Thailand) have run afoul of antiquated lèse-majesté or sedition laws.

Still, as elected governments face unprecedented attacks on their integrity and credibility, the mounting popularity (and permanence) of Royals has permitted the more astute amongst them to position themselves as the de facto consciences of their respective countries.

Lacking the direct powers of the executive, they have consolidated their moral and social influence.

Social media is an extremely disruptive force. It upends the status quo. It democratizes the playing field and overturns old hierarchies. Ironically, at least in Southeast Asia, it's permitted many ancient and storied families a second stab at real political relevance; even influence.

However, it is worrying, especially in the case of Malaysia, that mainstream leaders have failed to provide leadership.

The democratically-elected elite has become primordial, narrow-minded and deeply resentful of progressive causes.

Politicians and governments across the region should hence take heed of these royal lessons: engage directly with the people, build broad bases of support and act against injustices.

At the end of the day, blue-blooded or not, the institutions that are best able to serve the people are those which can evolve with the times.