Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
يڠ دڤرتوان اݢوڠ
Federal

Incumbent
Muhammad V of Kelantan
Sultan of Kelantan
Details
Style His Majesty
First monarch Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan
Formation 31 August 1957
Residence Istana Negara, Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur
Website istananegara.gov.my
Malaysia
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Malaysia

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (literally "He Who Was Made Lord",[1] Jawi: يڠ دڤرتوان اݢوڠ) is the monarch and head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) gained independence from the United Kingdom. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected monarch as head of state. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is one of the few elected monarchs in the world. The concept of an elected monarch is believed to root back to the 7th century Kingdom of Srivijaya, where at that time the king was elected from city-states in Srivijaya. His queen consort is called Raja Permaisuri Agong. The couple are styled in English as "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty".[2]

In Malaysia's constitutional monarchy, Yang di-Pertuan Agong has extensive powers within the constitution. The constitution specifies that the executive power of the Federal government is vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and is exercised by him on the advice of the Federal Council of Ministers. The latter is headed by the Prime Minister, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from among the elected members of Parliament. Among them, Yang di-Pertuan Agong has discretionary powers to choose who he wants as the Prime Minister and is not bound by the decision of the outgoing PM if no party has won a majority vote (Article 40). It, however, does not afford him the right and authority to dismiss the PM. He also can dismiss or withhold consent to a request for the dissolution of Parliament (Article 40).[3] He may discontinue or dissolve Parliament (Article 55) but he can only dissolve Parliament at the request of the PM (Article 43). He can reject any new laws or amendments to existing laws but if he still withholds permission, it will automatically become law after 30 days from the initial submission to him (Article 66).[4]

The 15th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan. His reign began on 13 December 2016, after his election on 14 October 2016 at the 243rd (special) Conference of Rulers.[5] The ceremonial installation of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held on 24 April 2017.[6]

Title

The full title in Malay is Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

A literal English translation for "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" is "He who was made Supreme Lord". Common English terms used in the media and by the general public include "King", "Paramount Ruler", "Head of State", "Head of the Federation", and "Head of State of the Federation".

In Malaysian passports before 2010, the title "The Supreme Head of Malaysia" was used in the English version of the passport note. Since the issuance of ICAO-compliant e-passports in 2010, the untranslated title "His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia" is used.

History

Replica of the King's Tengkolok Diraja (Royal Headress), a part of the Regalia of Malaysia. It is a songket made of black fabric embroidered in gold threads, wrapped in the Dendam Tak Sudah style originating from Negeri Sembilan.

In August 1957, having rejected the suggested title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar in favour of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Conference of Rulers elected the first occupant of the throne. By seniority, the 84-year-old major general Ibrahim of Johor, Sultan of Johor since 1895, was first in line, but he declined due to old age. The next in line, Abu Bakar of Pahang, Sultan of Pahang since 1932, was rejected five times by his fellow electors, and did not secure the necessary votes. Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan, having been elected to his state throne (Yamtuan Besar) in 1933, was elected by eight votes to one.

The first Conference of Rulers comprised:

List of Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The following Rulers have served as Yang di-Pertuan Agong:

№ Name State Reign Birth Death
1 Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan  Negeri Sembilan 31 August 1957 – 1 April 1960 24 August 1895 1 April 1960 (aged 64)
2 Hisamuddin of Selangor  Selangor 14 April 1960 – 1 September 1960 13 May 1898 1 September 1960 (aged 62)
3 Putra of Perlis  Perlis 21 September 1960 – 20 September 1965 25 November 1920 16 April 2000 (aged 79)
4 Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu  Terengganu 21 September 1965 – 20 September 1970 24 January 1907 20 September 1979 (aged 72)
5 Abdul Halim of Kedah  Kedah 21 September 1970  – 20 September 1975 28 November 1927
6 Yahya Petra of Kelantan  Kelantan 21 September 1975 – 29 March 1979 10 December 1917 29 March 1979 (aged 61)
7 Ahmad Shah of Pahang  Pahang 26 April 1979 – 25 April 1984 24 October 1930
8 Iskandar of Johor  Johor 26 April 1984 – 25 April 1989 8 April 1932 22 January 2010 (aged 77)
9 Azlan Shah of Perak  Perak 26 April 1989 – 25 April 1994 19 April 1928 28 May 2014 (aged 86)
10 Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan  Negeri Sembilan 26 April 1994 – 25 April 1999 19 July 1922 27 December 2008 (aged 86)
11 Salahuddin of Selangor  Selangor 26 April 1999 – 21 November 2001 8 March 1926 21 November 2001 (aged 75)
12 Sirajuddin of Perlis  Perlis 13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006 17 May 1943
13 Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu  Terengganu 13 December 2006 – 12 December 2011 22 January 1962
14Abdul Halim of Kedah  Kedah 13 December 2011 – 12 December 2016 28 November 1927
15 Muhammad V of Kelantan  Kelantan 13 December 2016 – present 6 October 1969

Election

The compound of the Istana Negara at Jalan Istana, official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1957 to 2011. Since 2011, the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Agong resides in the larger Istana Negara at Jalan Duta.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is formally elected to a five-year term by and from among the nine rulers of the Malay states (nine of the thirteen states of Malaysia that have hereditary royal rulers), who form the Conference of Rulers (Majlis Raja-raja). After a ruler had served as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he may not stand for election until all rulers of the other states have also stood for election.

In the event of a vacancy of the office (by death, resignation, or deposition by a majority vote of the rulers), the Conference of Rulers elects a new Yang di-Pertuan Agong as if the previous term had expired. The new Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected for a full five-year term. After his term expires, the Conference holds a new election, in which the incumbent would not be re-elected.

The position de facto rotates among the nine Rulers. The selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong initially followed an order based on the seniority (calculated by length of reign) of each Ruler in 1957 at the Federation of Malaya's independence from the United Kingdom. The Conference of Rulers, which has the power to disqualify a candidate, has sometimes varied the original seniority order, as noted above. Minors are automatically disqualified from office.

The Conference of Rulers has met regularly since 1895. The four governors (Yang di-Pertua Negeri), or heads of states without hereditary rulers, also attend the Conference, but only Rulers are allowed to vote and stand for election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Qualifications

The Constitution provides that a Ruler is not eligible for election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong if:

Election proceedings

Letter of Appointment of His Majesty, the XIII Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Courtesy of the office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Conference of the Rulers of Malaysia.
Oath of Office of His Majesty, the XIII Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Courtesy of the office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Conference of the Rulers of Malaysia.

The election is carried out by a secret ballot. The ballot papers used are not numbered, but marked with the same pen and ink, and are inserted into a ballot box. Only the Rulers participate in the election.

A Ruler may appoint another Ruler as his proxy to vote on his behalf if he is unable to attend the Election Meeting.

During the election process, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal distributes the ballot with only one candidate. Each Ruler is requested to indicate whether the candidate is suitable or not to be elected as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The most junior Ruler, who is not listed as nominee for the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is appointed to count the ballot papers together with the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal.

The nominee must have obtained five votes before the Ruler presiding over the Election Meeting offers him the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong. If the successful nominee declines the offer or the nominated Ruler fails to secure the required majority votes, the voting process is repeated with the nomination of the second most senior Ruler based on the list of Seniority of States. Rulers are named, and stand for election in turn.

The process is completed only after a Ruler has accepted the offer of the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Conference declares the Ruler as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to hold office for a term of five years. The ballot papers are destroyed in the presence of the Rulers as soon as the result of the election is announced.

On taking office as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he appoints a regent for the duration of his five-year term for the state which he rules. Usually, but not always, the regent is a close relative. The regent acts as head of state in that state for every purpose except for the role of head of Islam, which is retained by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

See also: Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for details of the installation ceremony

Order of seniority of states

Since the first cycle of nine Yang di-Pertuan Agong (1957–1994), the order among the eligible state rulers has followed the order established by that cycle, namely:

  1. the Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
  2. the Sultan of Selangor
  3. the Raja of Perlis
  4. the Sultan of Terengganu
  5. the Sultan of Kedah
  6. the Sultan of Kelantan
  7. the Sultan of Pahang
  8. the Sultan of Johor
  9. the Sultan of Perak

This cycle was originally established based on seniority. However, the current Rulers are named (and stand as a candidate) according to the cycle, irrespective of whether they are currently the most senior. Since independence from British Colonial Rule, this has been the order of elected Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, the order is not a precedent and the election to the position of Yang di-Pertuan Agong is at the pleasure of the Conference of Rulers. As an elective monarchy, there is no line of succession to the throne of Malaysia.

Four of the states of Malaysia currently have no hereditary royal rulers. These are Penang and Malacca in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo in East Malaysia. Sarawak previously had a hereditary ruler until it was incorporated into Malaya in 1946. These four states, along with Malaysia's three federal territories, never supply the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is elected by the same process immediately after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The office is usually (but not always) held by the ruler next in line after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong exercises the functions of the head of state during the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's absence, or inability to exercise his functions due to illness or infirmity (similar to a regent in other countries).

The Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong does not automatically succeed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong when a vacancy occurs in that office. The Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong acts as head of state before the election of the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The current Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak since 13 December 2016.[5]

List of Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The following Rulers have served as Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong:[7]

No Name State In office Birth Death
1 Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah  Selangor 31 August 1957 – 1 April 1960 13 May 1898 1 September 1960 (aged 62)
2 Raja Syed Putra  Perlis 14 April 1960 – 1 September 1960 25 November 1920 16 April 2000 (aged 79)
3 Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah  Terengganu 21 September 1960 – 20 September 1965 24 January 1907 20 September 1979 (aged 72)
4 Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah  Kedah 21 September 1965  – 20 September 1970 28 November 1927
5 Sultan Yahya Petra  Kelantan 21 September 1970 – 20 September 1975 10 December 1917 29 March 1979 (aged 61)
6 Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah  Pahang 21 September 1975 – 29 March 1979 24 October 1930
7 Tuanku Ja'afar  Negeri Sembilan 26 April 1979 – 25 April 1984 19 July 1922 27 December 2008 (aged 86)
8 Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah  Perak 26 April 1984 – 25 April 1989 19 April 1928 28 May 2014 (aged 86)
9 Tuanku Ja'afar  Negeri Sembilan 26 April 1989 – 25 April 1994 19 July 1922 27 December 2008 (aged 86)
10 Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah  Selangor 26 April 1994 – 25 April 1999 8 March 1926 21 November 2001 (aged 85)
11 Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin  Terengganu 26 April 1999 – 12 December 2006 22 January 1962
12 Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah  Kedah 13 December 2006 – 12 December 2011 28 November 1927
13 Sultan Muhammad V  Kelantan 13 December 2011 – 12 December 2016 6 October 1969
14 Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah  Perak 13 December 2016 – present 27 November 1956

Roles

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's role is that of a constitutional monarch. The Federal Constitution and Parliamentary Acts made in accordance with it define the extent of his powers as the Federal Head of State. The executive power of the federal government is vested in him.

The monarch's powers are basically divided into two broad categories:

The discretionary powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong pertain chiefly to appointing the Prime Minister, withholding consent to dissolve Parliament, and calling meetings with the Conference of Rulers "concerned solely with the privileges, position, honours and dignities of Their Royal Highnesses." Under the Westminster System, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is expected to appoint a Prime Minister who will command the confidence of a majority of the elected lower house of Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat. Should the Prime Minister be or become unacceptable, he may be forced out by a vote of no confidence, which would require the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament on advice of the Prime Minister, or refuse to dissolve Parliament and appoint someone else as Prime Minister. Conventionally, the Prime Minister is the head of the party with a majority in Parliament. Since independence in 1957, this has been the Barisan Nasional (National Front, formerly known as the Alliance).

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong renews the appointment of a Prime Minister after every general election until the minister decides to step down. Whenever the Prime Minister chooses to dissolve Parliament, he calls for a general election. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may choose to refuse a Prime Minister's request to dissolve Parliament, as one of his discretionary powers.

Residences

The official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Istana Negara (the State Palace) located in Jalan Duta in the federal capital Kuala Lumpur. It was completed in 2011. The old Istana Negara will be turned into a royal museum. Other residences include the royal retreat, Istana Melawati (Melawati Palace) in the federal administrative capital Putrajaya. It is also the venue of meetings of the Conference of Rulers (Malay: Majlis Raja-raja), which elects the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Appointments

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints numerous high-ranking office holders in the Federation under the terms of the Constitution and various Acts passed by Parliament. The constitution established procedures for such appointments.

The Council of Ministers (Cabinet)

Commissions and committees

Judges

Senators

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints 44 members of the Dewan Negara, the Malaysian Senate.

State governors

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governors), of the states of Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak, at his discretion, after considering the advice of the state's Chief Minister.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also appoints the Mayor and City Council of Kuala Lumpur, which is a Federal Territory.

Head of Islam

In addition, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Head of Islam in the four states ruled by appointed Governors, in the three Federal Territories, as well as in his own state. In this role, he is advised by the State Islamic Affairs Council in each of the States.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the chairman and members of each council. He also appoints the State Mufti in each of these states. There is a single Islamic Affairs Council with jurisdiction for the three Federal Territories. This council is also appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Duties as Commander-in-Chief

In accordance with Article 41 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Commander-in-Chief of the Federation's Armed Forces. As such, he is the highest-ranking officer in the military chain of command.

As the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the Chief of the Armed Forces Staff, on the advice of the Armed Forces Council. He also appoints the service heads of each of the three branches of the military forces.

King's Birthday

The first Saturday of June yearly is mandated by law as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's official birthday. It is marked with various activities all over the nation and the celebrations in Kuala Lumpur are the highlights of the national festivities, with the celebrations of it from 2013 onward now lasting a whole week and two weekends.

King's Birthday Honours List Ceremony and Birthday High Tea

The Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur serves as the venue for the annual King's Birthday Honours List and Address to the Nation ceremony attended by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, members of the Federal Government and Parliament, the state diplomatic corps, honoured guests and the Honours List members for the year, in the order of precedence of state medals. The event honours the year's national achievers and heroes with the awarding of state orders, medals and decorations and their accompanying titles. The King addresses the whole nation via radio and television on this day from the Throne Room of the palace complex. It is followed later by the traditional holiday high tea gathering at the palace grounds in the afternoon.

Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour in Malaysia, although inherited from the British, has transformed into a grander and more Malaysian celebration on the first Saturday of June annually live on Kuala Lumpur's Independence Square, which is both open to invited guests and the general public. As the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong takes the salute on this day together with the commanders of the three services of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Joint Forces Command, Malaysia and the members of the Malaysian Armed Forces Council, of which he is the chairman, plus military personnel and veterans in attendance. He wears the No.1 dress uniform on that day, and as each of the 8 state monarchs are Colonel-in-Chief of selected Malaysian Army regiments as well as of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Sultan of Selangor serves as Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, he wears that regiment's coloured sash as part of his ceremonial uniform (for the Army), or the RMAF blue or RMN white no.1 dress uniform. The 2013 edition was held on the 2nd Saturday of June for the first time in its history, the 2016 parade was held on the 4th Friday of July (22 July) for the first time in Putrajaya, the national seat of government.

Several features distinguish the Malaysian ceremony from other similar ones:

All three branches of the Armed Forces – the Malaysian Army (represented by the Royal Malay Regiment, the Royal Armoured Corps and others), the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force – participate in the Trooping, in their No. 1 uniforms. The band in attendance is either the Central Band of the Armed Forces or the Band of the National Defence University.

The Colours Party and the Escort for (to) the Colours also reflect the three participant Armed Forces branches. The Colours Party is composed of Ensigns, Colour Sergeants and assistant soldiers making up three Colours Parties from the Army, and there is also a single Colour Party each from the Navy and the Air Force. The Escort for (to) the Colours is a composite company, comprising an Army platoon and a squad each from the Navy and Air Force ready to receive their respective colours during the ceremony. The Parade Field Officer, Brigade Major and Adjutant are also from all the Armed Forces branches, and so too are the Regimental Sergeants-Major and Colour Sergeants.

RTM broadcasts this unique ceremony live, with the telecast starting at 8:50 in the morning with a nationwide simulcast.

Details of the Trooping

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship

In November 2006, the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong awarded, for the first time, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship to ten outstanding students to pursue postgraduate studies at high-ranking world universities. The award of scholarships was held at the Istana Negara in conjunction with the Independence Day celebrations and the Conference of Rulers.[8]

Immunity

In 1993, amendments to the Malaysian constitution removed the legal immunity of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the rulers in their personal capacity, due to public outrage over their behaviour.[9] A Special Court (Makhamah Khas Raja-raja) is established where civil and criminal proceedings can be made against a ruler with the approval of the Attorney General. The right to sue a ruler is limited to Malaysian citizens following a precedent. The Special Court also have jurisdiction where a ruler initiates legal actions against any party.

When a ruler is charged with an offence in the Special Court, he is required to stop exercising the functions of a ruler. In the event of a ruler being sentenced to imprisonment for more than one day, he will cease to be a ruler unless a free pardon is granted.[10]

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any ruler cannot pardon himself or his immediate family. In such case, they may request clemency from the Conference of Rulers.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong cannot be sued in court for his actions while carrying out his official duties. Any claims can be made against the federal government.

Royal Standards

The Royal Standard of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is royal yellow with the Coat of arms of Malaysia in the centre, surrounded by a rice paddy wreath. The same goes for the Royal Standards of the Raja Permaisuri Agong and the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but the designs are different. The Raja Permaisuri Agong's standard is green in colour, with the coat of arms at the centre surrounded by the paddy wreath. The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong's standard is bicolored, yellow at the top and light blue at the bottom, with the coat of arms at the centre (without the paddy) and below that is the office bearer's title.

Royal style

Styles of
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Tuanku

Formal address to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is taken seriously in Malaysia. There are two ways of addressing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Malaysia king: Sultan Muhammad V sworn in". BBC. 13 December 2016.
  2. ↑ Royal Ark
  3. ↑ Powers of the king.
  4. ↑ Constitutional Crisis, Crisis of 1983
  5. 1 2 "Kelantan Sultan will be new King". The Star. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "April 24 declared public holiday to celebrate King's installation". The Star. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  7. ↑ Senarai Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong
  8. ↑ "10 Students Awarded The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship 2006", Bernama, accessed 11 August 2009
  9. ↑ "Malaysian democrats pin their hopes on the country’s royals". The Economist. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  10. ↑ "Test case on right to sue Sultans" (20 August 2008), The Star, accessed 29 November 2011

Further reading

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