Sir, You report (September 9) on Asia’s seven monarchies, including the unusual monarchy in Malaysia whose nine (not 13) sultans take turns to occupy the country’s throne.
Just as interesting is the way the hereditary principle has caught on in Asia’s republics. Presently, two sons and two daughters of previous rulers are at the helm in North Korea, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia, and the widow of another heads the government in Bangladesh.
The Asian countries apparently most addicted to hereditary rule are Sri Lanka and India. The ruler of the former is the daughter of two previous prime ministers, whilst in India, where Sonia Gandhi recently declined an offer to become prime minister, her late husband, his mother and her father ruled for a total of 37 years.
Yours faithfully,
NICHOLAS NUGENT,
16 Richmond Road,
West Wimbledon, SW20 0PQ.
September 14.
From the Honorary Consul of Bhutan
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Sir, You refer to the King of Bhutan as “the world’s last remaining Hindu absolute monarch” (report, September 9).
The King of Bhutan is not a Hindu but a Buddhist, and he is no longer an absolute monarch. Six years ago the King handed over the running of the country to an elected Cabinet of ten ministers and an elected National Assembly. The King remains as a constitutional head of state.
Presently a draft constitution has been prepared on the King’s orders to institutionalise the monarchy in Bhutan in a fully democratic system.
The King has for many years appreciated that, in the modern world, an absolute monarchy is not the best way to secure the future of Bhutan. Perhaps that is one reason why he does, as you say, reign in harmony.
Yours sincerely,
MICHAEL RUTLAND,
2 Windacres, Warren Road,
Guildford, Surrey GU1 2HG.
mrutland@aol.com
September 10.