YANG DI-PERTUAN AGONG

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Suprime Head of Malaysia and is elected for a five-year
term from one of the Rulers of the nine states in the Federation which are ruled by Sultans.
The states are Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu
and Kelantan. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya (now
Malaysia) gained independence from the United Kingdom. Malaysia is among a few
countries in the world which adapted the system of monarchy. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is
one of the few elected monarchy in the world. The consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is
called the Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen Lady Consort). The couple are respectively
addressed in English as "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty".


Royal Standard of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Royal Standard of the Raja Permaisuri Agong




The circle of seniority of states :
It is also known as the King circle's. After the first cycle of nine Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(19571994), the order among the eligible, state rulers has followed the order established by
that cycle, namely:
1. the Yang di-Pertuan 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 the 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 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 have no hereditary royal rulers. These are Penang and Malacca in
Peninsular Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. These four states,
along with Malaysia's three federal territories, never supply the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.





Article 32(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that there shall be a Supreme Head of the
Federation to be called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. His Majesty shall take precedence over
all persons in the Federation and shall not be liable to any proceedings whatsoever in any
court except in the Special Court established under Part XV (Articles 182 and 183). The
Constitution also provides that the Raja Permaisuri Agong shall take precedence next after
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Articles 32(1) and 32(2) of the Federal Constitution state that:
32. Supreme Head of the Federation, and his Consort
1) There shall be a Supreme Head of the Federation, to be called the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong, who shall take precedence over all persons in the Federation and shall not be
liable to any proceedings whatsoever in any court except in the Special Court
established under Part XV.
2) The Consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to be called the Raja Permaisuri Agong)
shall take precedence next after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over all other persons in
the Federation.
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. According to the
Constitutions, powers of Yang di-Pertuan Agong are :
1. 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 Prime Minister and if
no party has won a majority vote (Article 40). It, however, does not afford him the
right and authority to dismiss the Prime Minister.
2. He also can dismiss or withhold consent to a request for the dissolution of Parliament
(Article 40).
3. May discontinue or dissolve Parliament (Article 55) but he can only dissolve
Parliament at the request of the Prime Minister (Article 43).
4. 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).
Other important duties of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong :
1. Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
as provided for in Article 41 as follows:
41. Supreme command of the armed forces. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be the
Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the Federation.
2. Power of Pardon.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is also seen as the fountain of mercy. He is vested with the
power to grant pardons and reprieves in respect of offences triable by court-martial and
all offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. This is
provided for in Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
3. The Special Position of the Malays and Natives of Sabah and Sarawak.
One of the important duties of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to safeguard the special
position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak. This is clearly stated in Article
153 (1) of the Federal Constitution as follows:
153. Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits etc., for Malays and natives
of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak
(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special
position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the
legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this
Article.