Answer:
The sultans exercised absolute power over their subjects before Malaysia became a British colony. The country's first prime minister after independence in 1957 was a Malay prince.
The role of the sultans was so highly valued by Malays, who constitute about half the population of 18 million, that amendments to the Sedition Act passed by the legislature in 1971 made it an offense to question the position or prerogatives of traditional rulers in public.
At a general assembly in November of the main Malay political party, the United Malays National Organization, speakers said that royal families were competing with commoners in everything from import permits for cars to licenses for gas stations and logging concessions.
Mr. Mahathir is president of the organization.
Delegates to the assembly also asserted that members of royal families were using their influence to secure lucrative contracts and licenses for Chinese business associates. Chinese and Indians are the main minority races in Malaysia.
Explanation:
extensive research
