Simone Lawson
Malaysia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1963. The country's political system is based on the Westminster parliamentary system, with features of a federation. Nine of the states of Malaysia are constitutionally headed by traditional Malay rulers, who form the Conference of Rulers, each ruling a separate state. The monarchy is the only elected monarchy in the world, with the king being elected by the nine rulers for a five-year tenure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Year constitutional monarchy was retained | 1963 |
| Number of Malay states | 9 |
| Number of hereditary monarchies | 7 |
| Names of hereditary monarchies | Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Pahang, Selangor, Terengganu, Perak |
| Names of non-hereditary monarchies | Negeri Sembilan |
| Title of the ruler of Negeri Sembilan | Yang di-Pertuan Besar (Yam Tuan Besar) |
| Title of the federal head of state | Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Tenure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong | 5 years |
| Current king | Sultan Abdullah of Pahang |
| Previous king | Muhammad V |
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What You'll Learn
Malaysia's unique elected monarchy
Malaysia's constitutional monarchy has been in place since the country's formation in 1963, though its present form dates back to 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence. The country's monarchy is unique in that it is an elected monarchy, with nine of the country's states being constitutionally headed by traditional Malay rulers. These rulers are collectively referred to as the Malay states, and they elect a federal head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, every five years or when a vacancy occurs.
The process of electing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is conducted by the Conference of Rulers, which consists of the nine rulers and the four Yang di-Pertua Negeris. This body also has a role in the federal governance of the country, consenting to amendments of certain provisions of the federal constitution. While the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state for the country, each of the nine rulers serves as the head of state for their own state, as well as the head of the Islamic religion in their state.
The eligibility for the thrones of the nine states is limited to male Malay Muslims of royal descent. Seven of the nine states are hereditary monarchies based on agnatic primogeniture: Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Perlis, Pahang, Selangor, and Terengganu. In the state of Perak, the throne rotates among three branches of the royal family based on agnatic seniority.
The remaining state, Negeri Sembilan, is an elective monarchy, with the ruler being elected from male members of the royal family by hereditary chiefs. Negeri Sembilan's monarchy incorporates a form of federalism, with the state divided into smaller chiefdoms, each with its own ruling chieftain. Four of the major chieftains elect the Head of State of Negeri Sembilan, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
While the monarch has executive power, they are generally bound to exercise this power on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with the exception of certain discretionary powers. These include the power to appoint the Prime Minister, withhold consent to dissolve Parliament, and call meetings with the Conference of Rulers. The monarch also serves as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces and carries out diplomatic functions such as receiving foreign diplomats and representing Malaysia on state visits.
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The role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Malaysia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1957 when the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) gained independence from the United Kingdom. The role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or the King of Malaysia, is that of a constitutional monarch and the ceremonial head of state. The office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was established in 1957, and the monarch is elected by the Conference of Rulers, comprising the nine rulers of the Malay states. The position is rotated every five years between these rulers, making Malaysia one of the few elective monarchies in the world.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's powers as head of state are defined by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and Acts of Parliament. These powers are divided into two categories: those exercised on the advice of the Cabinet or a minister acting under the Cabinet's authority, and discretionary powers. The monarch's discretionary powers include appointing the prime minister, withholding consent to dissolve Parliament, and calling meetings with the Conference of Rulers. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is also Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces and carries out diplomatic functions such as receiving foreign diplomats and representing Malaysia on state visits.
In addition, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Head of Islam in his own state, the four states without rulers (Penang, Malacca, Sabah, and Sarawak), and the Federal Territories. In this role, he appoints the chairman and members of each state's Islamic Affairs Council, as well as the State Mufti. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is required to delegate all his state powers to a regent, except for the role of Head of Islam. The regent is usually a close relative and acts as the head of state for the duration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's five-year term.
The formal address for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has evolved over time. In Malaysian passports before 2010, the title "The Supreme Head of Malaysia" was used. Since 2010, the untranslated title "His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia" has been used in e-passports. In formal English correspondence, the King was referred to as "His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong" until January 2024, when this was changed to "His Majesty The King of Malaysia".
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The nine Malay states
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy consisting of 13 states and three federal territories. Of the 13 states, 9 are monarchies and are known as the Malay states. These nine Malay states are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Terengganu, and Negeri Sembilan.
The Malay states are based on historical Malay kingdoms and retain their royal families. Each of these nine states has a hereditary ruler as the titular head of state. The rulers of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, and Terengganu are styled as Sultans. The ruler of Perlis is titled King. Negeri Sembilan's monarchy is elective, with the ruler holding the title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The state is divided into smaller luak (chiefdoms), each with a ruling undang (chieftain). Four of the major chieftains elect the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, who is the Head of State of Negeri Sembilan.
The nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states collectively elect a federal head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the King. The position is rotated among the nine rulers, with each serving a five-year term. The King's role is largely ceremonial and includes functions such as receiving foreign diplomats and representing Malaysia on state visits. The King also has discretionary powers in appointing the Prime Minister.
The Malay states have their own constitutions, which must conform to the principles of the national constitution. Each state has a Westminster-style unicameral legislature called the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). The political system of Malaysia is based on a combination of the Westminster parliamentary system and federalism.
The form of constitutional monarchy in Malaysia was retained when the country was formed in 1963, following the independence of Malaya in 1957. The nine Malay states were previously part of the Federated Malay States, a federation established by the British government in 1895, which included four protected states: Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang.
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The Conference of Rulers
Malaysia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1963, when the country was formed. The Conference of Rulers is a council comprising the nine rulers of the Malay states of Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor, and Perak. The council also includes the governors of the other four states: Penang, Melaka, Sabah, and Sarawak. The rulers are the hereditary heads of Islam in their respective nine Malay-majority states and perform largely ceremonial roles. However, in recent years, they have had to intervene in political crises.
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The Westminster parliamentary system
Malaysia has been a constitutional monarchy since its formation in 1963. The nation's political system is based on the Westminster parliamentary system, which incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature and was first developed in England.
The Westminster system is a type of parliamentary government with key aspects that include an executive branch made up of members of the legislature, the presence of parliamentary opposition parties, and a ceremonial head of state who is separate from the head of government. The system is often contrasted with the presidential system of the United States or the semi-presidential system of France.
In the context of Malaysia, the Westminster system is combined with features of a federation. The country is made up of nine Malay states, each with its own traditional Malay ruler, collectively referred to as the Malay states. These rulers elect among themselves a federal head of state, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who holds federal executive powers. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has symbolic roles, including being the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces and carrying out diplomatic functions such as receiving foreign diplomats and representing Malaysia on state visits.
While Malaysia's political system is influenced by the Westminster model, some have argued that it does not fully adhere to its principles. For example, opposition members of parliament in Malaysia are denied certain allocations, funds, and research facilities, which is considered undemocratic and contrary to the Westminster system. Additionally, Malaysia's lack of parliamentary oversight committees and recognition of a shadow cabinet have been cited as deviations from the Westminster model.
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Frequently asked questions
Malaysia has been a constitutional monarchy since 1963.
The top office in Malaysia is known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which means 'He Who is Made Lord', referring to its elective nature.
Nine of the states in Malaysia are constitutionally headed by traditional Malay rulers.
