DEMOCRACTIC SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA

CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH

CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH
Malaysia is a monarchy The Agong is a constitutional monarch He does not have absolute power except certain powers conferred by the constitution The Agong is elected every five years. This system was the innovation of the countrys first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman

The Present Monarch HRH Yang diPertuan Agung Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra

Appointment of the Agong

Only Sultans are eligible Is heading a state in Malaysia Is elected from the nine Sultans forming the Council of Rulers Is matured male, Malay and Muslim Is mentally sound

The Role of the Agong

Holds executive authority in the Malaysian governments three main organs Head of religion Power of pardon Proclamation of emergency Appointments of persons of important offices Serves for five years Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Symbol of Honor and Dignity Diplomatic Functions

His Discretionary Power

To appoint a Prime Minister To agree or reject dissolving the parliament as requested by the Prime Minister To request holding the Malay Rulers Meeting to discuss matters related to the status of the Malay rulers To confer the roll of honor

His Restrictions
Can not rule his own state unless for
Head of Islamic matters Amendment of state list Conferring of roll of honor

Can not leave the country for more than 15 days unless for official trip Can not hold any positions that pays salary or allowance

 Can not involve in business Can be tried in Royal court for personal misconduct Can not give royal pardon to himself, his Queen and sons but can be pardoned by the Conference of Rulers

RULERS IMMUNITY
The Constitution is the highest law in Malaysia In Malaysia, the Parliament holds limited power The YDPAs authority is also limited as stated in the constitution Our constitution provides privileges to YDPA immunity power

 In 1992 due to an incident where a ruler punished a commoner evoked a cause to revise the immunity power Under Article 181 (2) rulers immunity was too general - may be misused and abused that may weaken the status of the Malay Rulers The revised constitution stated the immunity of the YDPA is limited to official matters only Any personal action taken for personal interests is under the ruling of law All informal privileges not stated in Constitution should not be observed anymore