The Monarchy in Contemporary Malaysia

The Conference of Rulers

12 Raja Nazrin Shah The Conference of Rulers Constitutional monarchy also led to the reconstitution of another traditional body — the Conference of Rulers, which existed pre-Merdeka but in a more restricted form. This became federal in scope with participation extended. All states now take part — comprising a core group of the nine Rulers augmented by the four Governors from states lacking a hereditary Ruler.8 Strictly speaking, the King is not a member, but on matters of important national policy, the King, accompanied by the Prime Minister, participates.9 The consultative process is the hallmark of the Conference of Rulers. The Conference performs a number of vital functions.10 It reserves the right to elect, and is the only body that has the power to remove, the Agong.11 It has to be consulted in the appointment of certain important positions — the Chief Justice and other Judges,12 the Auditor-General,13 and members of the Election Commission,14 the Public Services Commission,15 and the Education Services Commission.16 Certain important amendments to the Federal Constitution require the Conference’s 13 The Monarchy in Contemporary Malaysia prior consent, for example, any changes relating to the national language, the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, and the position of the Rulers.17 These are all safeguards. The Conference thus provides an effective forum for consultation, participation, and, in some cases, sanction in the federal-state relationship, but all based on mutual respect. It is a forum for eliciting and making known the views of the Rulers, an instrument for them to exercise influence. The cornerstone of the democratic system as we know it is the well-known doctrine of the separation of powers — the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary being the three entities. One could make a case for the Conference of Rulers to be considered a fourth entity. Federal-State Relations The Conference of Rulers reinforces the concept of federation. The concept is relatively new, and really only came in with Independence in a country where state loyalties run deep — where the people take pride in local heritage, customs, and traditions. It is a way of introducing more balance in the federalstate equation. ...