KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah recently purchased artwork depicting the Dewan Rakyat with members of parliament portrayed as apes and frogs.
The painting appeared to have drawn inspiration from British street artist Banksy's 2009 oil-on-canvas painting, "Devolved Parliament", which replaced British politicians debating in the House of Commons with chimpanzees and some orangutans.
Photographs of Sultan Sharafuddin observing the painting and close shots of the artwork were shared on the Selangor palace's official Instagram account (@selangorroyalofficial) and Facebook page (Selangor Royal Office).
"A painting had caught the attention of the Selangor Sultan. Upon inspecting it, His Majesty consented to buy the painting to be hung in his 'private study room'.
"His Majesty intends to auction this painting one day and the proceeds will be donated to charity," the caption read.
Banksy's 4m-wide "Devolved Parliament" artwork was sold at auction for just under £9.9 million (around RM50 million).
Netizens, many of whom viewed the art as an "accurate depiction" of the country's political situation, flooded the comment section below the postings with the phrase "Daulat Tuanku".
Malaysian actor and comedian, Harith Iskander wrote: "Brilliant. Daulat Tuanku."
"A picture is worth a thousand words," wrote another.
"A serious message is being delivered by our beloved Sultan of Selangor to all politicians having a full mandate from the rakyat but behaving like as shown (in the painting)," another netizen commented.
"A meaningful art," another wrote.
It is, however, unclear who the artist is behind the painting.