Kee Thuan Chye’s Swordfish + Concubine (2018) reimagines narratives from Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals), specifically Hikayat Singapura Dilanggar Todak (The Tale of Singapore Attacked by Swordfish), Hikayat Demang Lebar Daun (The Tale of Demang Lebar Daun), and Hikayat Akibat Khianat, Singapura Dialahkan Majapahit (The Tale of Treachery and Singapura’s Defeat by Majapahit). This chapter examines how Kee’s incorporation of these Hikayat engages with the concept of social energy to critique the dynamics of power, loyalty, and authority in both historical and contemporary Malaysia. By reinterpreting Sejarah Melayu, particularly the Covenant between rulers and subjects, Kee highlights how historical narratives continue to shape modern sociopolitical structures. The play challenges the expectation of blind loyalty to the monarchy, illustrating how this inherited social energy sustains a culture of obedience that enables the concentration and abuse of power. Through its retelling of figures from these Hikayat, the play underscores both the dangers of speaking against authority and the rakyat’s complicity in their own subjugation. At the same time, the inclusion of modern-day characters as commentators provides a counter-narrative that urges resistance and agency. By embedding contemporary concerns within historical retellings, Swordfish + Concubine transforms Sejarah Melayu into a site of resistance, using its social energies to reflect on Malaysia’s political landscape, where the monarchy retains significant influence. The play critiques the persistence of historical power structures while suggesting the potential for change, positioning the rakyat as active participants in shaping their nation’s future.