L-030-3(03)

Prepared by: Eng Kok SiongCopyright 2010 All Rights Reserved

Constitutional Monarchy

Tourist Guide Level 3

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 2

Background of the Constitutional Monarchy

1874• Pangkor Engagement between the Sultan of Perak and

the British.• Sultan is obliged to accept a British Resident.

1877 • Hugh Low convinced the Sultan to set up an advisory

Council of State.• Foundation of the Malaysian Constitution is laid.• Function of council was later extended to include both

legislative and executive functions.

1948• Federation of Malaya is formed by 2 agreements:

State AgreementFederation of Malaya Agreement

Sir Hugh LowPerak’s Second British Resident

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 3

The Malaysian Constitution

• The Malaysian Constitution was formulated by the Reid Commission; consisting of constitutional experts from Australia, India and Pakistan, and presided over by Lord Reid, a Lord of Appeal from the United Kingdom.

• In accordance with the London Agreement of 1956 between the British Government, the Conference of Rulers, and representatives of the major political parties in Malaya.

The Reid Commission

February 1957• The Commission’s report was published.• UMNO, MCA, and MIC, played a major part in this commission.• Federal Legislative Council passed as the country’s new Constitution on 30

August 1957. • The Federation of Malaya as an independent nation was born on 31 August

1957. • Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were later joined as part of Malaysia but

Singapore left the Federation in 1965.

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 4

Main Features of The Constitution

• Named "Malaysia" with provision for the admission of new states.

• Supreme Head of the Federation is called the "Yang Di-Pertuan Agong"

• Parliamentary democracy system• Islam as the Federation religion but other

religions may be practiced.• Westminster type of parliamentary

government.Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

Malaysia

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 5

Citizenship of Malaysia

Only the following may become citizens by registration:• Wives and children of citizens; • Any person under the age of 21, one of whose parents is

(or was at death) a citizen; • Persons born in the Federation before Merdeka Day; and • Persons resident in Sabah and Sarawak on Malaysia

Day.

MyKad Malaysia(1999-Present)

Kad Pengenalan Malaysia(1975-1999)

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 6

Federation of Malaysia

• A constitutional monarchy with a system of parliamentary democracy. • Comprises of 13 states as well as three federal territories, including the

Federal capital Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. • Each state has its own head of state and an elected assembly. • Nine of the states are ruled by hereditary sultans who; under a unique system,

elect one of their own to be the constitutional monarch or Yang Di-Pertuan Agong for a period of five years.

• Malaysia has a non-political, professional civil service, army and police and also an independent judiciary.

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 7

The Malaysian Parliament

• Comprises the Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat).

• The Senators serve a (3) three-year term, • Members of the House of Representatives are elected for a (5) five-year

term in a single member constituency system. • Elections of the House of Representatives have been held regularly

every five years or less. • Malaysia has been ruled by the National Front (Barisan Nasional)

coalition dominated by the UMNO since the first general election. • The coalition consisted of UMNO, MCA and MIC.

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 8

The National Palace

• Also known as Istana Negara, has several spacious halls designed for special purposes and functions such as 2 main halls (Balairong Seri & Royal Audience Hall).

• The Ambassador Room is used by Yd-PA to receive the Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia, dignitaries, and foreign diplomats for formal audience/meetings.

Entrance of Istana Negara The Throne (Singgahsana)

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 9

Royal Regalia and Ceremonial Items

• ‘Muskat’ is the official attire of His Majesty Yd-PA and the ceremonial officials of the National Palace.

• First used in 1960.• It is worn with a pair of trousers, a shirt, a

headdress, a buckle, a belt, decorative sarong, and a keris.

• The keris holds an esteemed place in Malay customs and traditions.

• The most essential instrument in the installation ceremony.

• Symbolizes sovereignty and power.• This keris is only worn by His Majesty Yd-PA

during special ceremonies.

Constitutional Monarchy Slide 10

Royal Regalia and Ceremonial Items

• Originated from Negeri Sembilan, The Royal Headgear is made from woven silk.

• Black in color inter-woven with gold thread.• A Malaysian crescent in front accompanied

by a 14-pointed star of platinum studded with diamonds.

• Both the royal umbrellas are essential items that comprise the royal regalia.

• Numbering 20 in all, are made of royal yellow silk which is exclusively reserved for royalty use.

• At the apex of each umbrella is a crescent and a star.