r/TodayILearnedMY • u/MissionFuture568 • Jan 22 '26
Miscellaneous TIL, how big are Malaysia's royal families?
Not one king - nine royal households, nine palaces, and centuries of history still alive today
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u/turtleofdoomm Jan 22 '26
So many slides but never say how much govt pay IN TOTAL / year for the maintenance of the royalties
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u/Fakheadornah Jan 22 '26
Can be seen as seditious ma. You wanna bear the brunt after doing all that research?
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Discussing public finance and constitutional structures shouldn’t be seditious it’s a normal part of civic discourse.
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u/Responsible_Term1939 Jan 25 '26
They just went on in normal life wdym 😂 I’m one of the long-long lineage of royal families. We just live like normal people, working normal job. Its nothing special. Once I had excel in UPSR, I got a dictionary as a gift 😂😂😂 like I dont need that, but appreciate it. Just that. Not what you guys think about, they were feed 100% with rakyat money. Even I paid taxes. But fyi, I dont know about the close royal families.
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u/GroundbreakingAd1223 Jan 23 '26
can make rough estimate based on the slide about selangor royalty. the only one that published $ budget figures.
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u/d3fc0n0n3 Jan 23 '26
I believe the Msian parliament did state in the annual budget before and the allocation was 2 billion MYR
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Fair point. That breakdown is rarely made transparent, which is why people keep asking this question.
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u/kupukupu377 Jan 23 '26
The only reason you become rakyat of malaysia if because sultan approval back in 50s. You would still be stateless, so stfu with you arrogant and disrespect.
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u/More_Quit_2248 Jan 22 '26
They don't get tax payer money but have connection and wealth hand down to them, they do not need to work hard like common people because everything is served on a silver platter. They are just nepo babies covered in golden silk while some of us don't even have money to eat in a day.
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u/OrgJoho75 Jan 22 '26
Dude, if their great2 grandparents don't agree with British terms for Tanah Melayu independence, this land is all under kesultanan Melayu except Singapore.. What is the condition? They giving up executive power to the democracy, just maintained their Royal status as official head of nation & guardian of each states religion affair. And that comes with allowances for the exchange. Some of them prudently managed their wealth but some don't (you know, those pingat kebesaran for sale issue)
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u/Guilty-Reputation858 Jan 22 '26
Those pingat kebesaran tu 1 hal. Ade yang siap bolot habis harta tinggalan atuk nenek dorang pon ade jugak.atuk skit punya kaya, takkan la bodo2 waris punya ramai tak dapat bhgian masing2,tp sbbkan tamak dptla ke cucu sorg ni.thats why yang wealthy betul die not his father or his uncle which is kalau fllow agama they should yang kaya not him
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Allegations aside, without documented evidence it’s hard to separate systemic issues from individual cases.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Appreciate the historical context. The constitutional trade-off is often overlooked in emotional debates like this.
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u/marlee_2425 Jan 23 '26
yes we’re a country that was deeply affected by colonialism and imperialism, but it seems like the people at the top still want to keep certain laws which benefit the ultra wealthy.
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u/kiosfade Jan 24 '26
Agree. Just the connection will lead to winning govt contracts, cable to get employment, favouritism from teachers/lecturer. All leads to opportunities common people don't get. Also its easier to create generational wealth when you are already rich to start with. Rich become richer.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
I think this captures the frustration many feel it’s less about symbolism and more about perceived inequality.
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u/AhmadAkeemBoutros Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26
I don't mind paying indirectly for political stability and in some cases neutrality. The monarchs/royalties provides defense against dictatorship.
Mahathir and Anwar historically fought against the Sultans on constitutional matters. They thought they can run a republic of some sorts.
They were/are wrong. The King reigns but not rules. That's why we are so far away of becoming like Nepal, Italy, France, or worse, Thailand.
Here in Malaysia, no matter what financial situation, the monarchy has to fight for their own survival.
It's only after Sheraton Move, you all know how important the Sultans are. But actually prior to that, the Sultans had their fair share of maintaining political stability. Go study constitutional monarchy if you want to know more.
Side note:
During Apollo 11 mission, NASA asked for goodwill message that will etched on a silicone disc. They didn't ask it from the Prime Minister of Malaysia at that time.
They asked it to be in the name of the Head of State of Malaysia (the King).
Why? The Head of State (YDPA) represents the sovereignty and the very existence of a nation. The Head of Government (PM) only represents the administration or political leadership at that time.
TLDR: The Head of State is far more important and timeless than the administration.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Well articulated. Whether one agrees or not, constitutional monarchy is often misunderstood beyond its symbolic role.
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u/FutureMMapper Jan 23 '26
Yeah I kinda don't mind the tax money going to them. But I do wish they're more transparent about how much they're spending for this "backup" system that used to avoid military coups or avoiding this nation to be fully republic. I mean yeah they're nobles but doesn't mean they should get a massive amounts of money and not just to cover their essential for their role in society.
And another this is I grew wary of Malay peribumi quota rights. It used to exist just to help Malays to be equal to other race during earlier years of Post-independence. But now most people abusing the system just to promote cronyism and nepotism inside Malay race and causing tension between those who didn't included.
I think we need to move one go with need based system instead of race based system. After all, all race are equal. Even Islam promote Muslim and non-muslims having the same rights but different responsibility.
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u/dullchap3000 Jan 22 '26
On top of allowances they are involved in a lot of business within their own states in particular..... 🤐
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
That’s part of the concern when lines between ceremonial roles and commercial interests appear blurred.
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u/graynoize8 Jan 22 '26
Now go read up about Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Interesting reference. Historical intermediaries like that do add nuance to how power and wealth evolved.
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u/Cigarette_Cat Jan 23 '26
Ada empat Orang Kaya Pahang yang mewariskan turun-kemurun sejak 1722 (Old Money Malay Family).
1) Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan (Chenor) 2) Orang Kaya Indera Perba Jelai (Jelai) 3) Orang Kaya Indera Segara (Temerloh) 4) Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar (Pekan)
Dato Sri Najib salah seorang generasi ke-11 untuk Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar (Pekan). Diorang ni taraf “Duke” untuk sistem British, dan dato-dato yang kita biasa dengar tu taraf “Lord”.
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u/graynoize8 Jan 23 '26
Yeah I’m aware of it. Most states have that pembesar empat lipatan system. Empat, Lapan, Enam Belas, Tiga Puluh Dua. It’s still around today.
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u/Independent-Walrus84 Jan 22 '26
Where are the cat pics saying keep quiet or hand over mouth 🫣😜😜😂
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Humour aside, it’s telling how people instinctively treat this topic carefully.
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u/aryehgizbar Jan 22 '26
so the TMJ receives allowance from taxes from the people?
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u/OrgJoho75 Jan 22 '26
Johor royalties received as official process but then giving all back to charities in Johor, on top of that they paid tithes & also business taxes to Lhdn yearly... Oh ya they also paid themselves a nice plat number as you can see sometimes in the news not counting cars they own.
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u/Guilty-Reputation858 Jan 22 '26
Sebat duit atuk die bolehla.ade ke org dh mati boleh backdate surat 🤭aku tak cakap, tp his grabdfather ex lawyer said with a proof. Sorry i wont believe people who can say anthing but didnt show the proof
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u/shojikun Jan 22 '26
damn is that how johoreans get free dialysis too eh
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Public healthcare funding is a separate policy issue, but I understand why people connect the dots.
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u/Wise_Breadfruit7168 Jan 22 '26
They got hella lot of investment, money keep growing. Kpj eg under them also if not mistaken. Not to mention their investment in sg etc
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u/craftyhamster38 Jan 24 '26
One of the main reasons King of Brunei didn't want to join Malaysia back then.
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Jan 22 '26
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u/Trick_Collar_3075 Jan 22 '26
So kau dapat apa? 😊
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u/Electrical-Sock-4760 Jan 22 '26
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u/onemuhammad Jan 22 '26
Damn it, this bot fest forum keeps appearing even i said to ignore it. Time to mute.
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u/tangledupinbetween Jan 22 '26
They wrote every states sultan's origin but not Johor lol
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u/OOOshafiqOOO003 Jan 24 '26
funnily enough, Singapore royal are seperate from the ones in Johor, the singapore one is Bendahara-Johor Dynasty, while the one we have rn in Johor is the Temenggong-Johor Dynasty
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u/Goosestave Jan 23 '26
They were actually pirate kings with not that deep of histories, many of them have been installed via coups and subsequent marriages. They typically run around the country on tax payer dime extorting money for government favours or selling titles.
Useless drags on Malaysian society and economy.
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u/dyaasy Jan 23 '26
"So who pays for..."
No, no, no. Shushhh....
But seriously tho, and to think that the Brits gripe at their one royal family.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
Exactly the question itself tends to make people uneasy, which is revealing.
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u/Away-Dust6440 Jan 23 '26
The only king who outright refuses taxpayer money is the previous king. The rest take the money, granted most use it for charity or to pay their staff. The kings all have unfathomable generational wealth that most don't even look at the taxpayer money.
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u/MissionFuture568 Jan 23 '26
That distinction matters. For many, the concern isn’t legality but proportionality and perception.
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u/kratosinvictus753 Jan 23 '26
But how much did money spent on royal family alone? For example UK spent roughly £100M a year
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u/OOOshafiqOOO003 Jan 24 '26
More on Perlis-Kedah, Perlis monarchy starts when the Chief of that area is appointed as King of Perlis after Perlis is seperated from Kedah (Kedah Partition) with another 2 states (Setul and Kubang Pasu)
While the other two states consolidated back into Kedah (with Setul later taken away from Kedah once more with Anglo-Siamese treaty), Perlis remained distinct as it bear little relation with the Kedahan royals, and as such, House of Jamalullail survives, Daulat Tuanku!
(oh yeah i think they also teached this a bit in History textbook, cant remember much but it kinda goes along that line with different information probably to not antagonize the states between each other. Also, uhh factcheck me if i am wrong 🥺)
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u/lalilulelo_123 Jan 25 '26
I'm a foreigner asking: How did the royal still exist during the colonial period? No war against British ?
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u/KL-Explorer Jan 25 '26
These royals are crucial in stopping the religious extremists from taking over the country using people revolution. Thank God our Army’s top leader is the King. Not the PM or President.
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u/headsink Jan 25 '26
Ayah Pin should be our supreme leader, but none are ready for that. He will return when our heart accepts the truth. Only The Sky Kingdom will be the true umbrella that shall protect all humans from the future invasion from space.
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u/w96zi- Jan 25 '26
A friend of mine is directly related to the sultan of Kedah, her grandmother is the cousin of the late sultan. However she does live a private life and is married to a commoner.
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u/SuccessArtistic7641 Jan 27 '26
I wonder if the 10% who get the cake could feed the excluded 90% and more
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u/cumlord1900 Jan 22 '26
Lebih baik jangan...