Actually, What Are The Agong’s Powers? | TRP
Credit: Istana Negara/Facebook
Everyone knows that Malaysia operates as a
constitutional monarchy, where the monarch shares power with a constitutionally organised government elected by the people.
While Malaysia’s royalty shares similarities with other constitutional monarchies, it’s quite unique in the sense that the “King” or Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is a role shared by nine separate royals of the Malay states. Not only that, the Agong is elected by the Conference of Rulers to the role and serves a 5-year term.
As the Supreme Head of the Federation, the Agong is de facto head of state as well as the commander-in-chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the Trooping the Colours Ceremony at Dataran Pahlawan Negara in 2019.
(Credit:
Tentera Darat Malaysia/Facebook)
The
Federal Constitution also places the executive power of the Federal Government with the Agong. However, the monarch’s power is not absolute and can be distinguished into two categories:
- On the advice of Prime Minister, Cabinet, Conference of Rulers and select institutions
- Discretionary powers
Discretionary Powers of the Agong
Appointing the Prime Minister
The Agong appoints a Prime Minister who commands the confidence of a majority of Dewan Rakyat.
If no party has won a majority vote and is not bound by the decision of the outgoing Prime Minister, the Agong can choose who he ascertains has the confidence of a majority. He does not, however, have the power to dismiss the Prime Minister.
Should the Prime Minister become unacceptable, forced out by a vote of no confidence or resigns, the Agong can appoint someone else as Prime Minister or dissolve Parliament for an election.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister by Sultan Muhammad V, the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
(Credit:
Bernama/Reuters via TodayOnline)
Parliament
The Agong can summon Parliament from time to time. It’s also his duty to ensure that there is no more than a 6-month gap between the last sitting of a session and the first sitting of the next session.
He can also
prorogue Parliament, which means that he can stop the activities of Parliament for a period of time without dissolving it.
The Agong can dissolve the Parliament only at the request of the Prime Minister. However, he can withhold his consent to the request.
Legislation
The legislative authority of the nation lies in Parliament, which consists of the Agong, Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat.
As part of this trinity, he can reject any new laws or amendments to existing laws. However, Article 66 states that even if the Agong withholds his permission, it will automatically become law after 30 days of submission to him.
Besides that, the Agong also has the power to keep and use the Public Seal of the Federation. This Public Seal is used for him to assent Bills passed by Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara to be made into law.
Electing Senators
Newly appointed Senators seen here with the President of the Senate, H.E Senator Tan Sri Dato’ Sri SA Vigneswaran, Deputy President of the Senate, H.E Senator Datuk seri Haji Abdul Halim bin Abd. Samad and other Senators after the Oath Taking Ceremony in 2018.
(Credit:
Parliament of Malaysia)
The Dewan Negara consists of 70 senators, where 26 are elected by state legislative assemblies. The other 44 are appointed by the Agong.
These senators he elects are those, in his opinion, who have done distinguished public service or achieved distinction in professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service.
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