Latest news with #Yangdi-PertuanAgong
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Unique rotating monarchy
IN a world where monarchs are typically born into power, Malaysia stands out with a unique rotation system where its King is elected from among nine Malay Rulers. Malaysia is one of over 40 nations with a constitutional monarchy, but it is the only one in the world that practises a five-year rotation system. Under this unique system, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected from among nine Malay Rulers under the Conference of Rulers through a detailed election process that takes place every five years. Only nine Malay Rulers are eligible to take part in the process, namely the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Sultan of Selangor, Raja of Perlis, Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan of Kedah, Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan of Pahang, Sultan of Johor and Sultan of Perak. Several other eligibility criteria that must be met for a Ruler to be appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are also outlined on the official website of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Office. The first is that the Ruler must consent to be elected, and only the nine Malay Rulers may vote. If a Ruler is unable to attend the Election Meeting, he may appoint another Ruler as a proxy to vote on his behalf. Previously, the selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was based on seniority, whereby the Ruler who had reigned the longest was considered the most senior. However, that rule no longer applies since all nine Malay Rulers have taken their turns as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sultan of Perak Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, who was the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, was the last Ruler to be selected under the original rotation system. After that, the Rulers collectively agreed on a rotation list, which is still used today, based on the order of states whose Rulers had previously served as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Besides that, Schedule Three of the Federal Constitution and the Regulation of the Conference of Rulers states that a Ruler is not eligible for election if he is a minor or has formally informed the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal that he does not wish to be elected. It adds that a Ruler is also disqualified if the Conference of Rulers, through a secret ballot, determines that he is unfit due to infirmity of mind or body, or for any other reason that would prevent him from fulfilling the role. However, such a resolution must be supported by at least five members of the Conference of Rulers. Schedule Three of the Federal Constitution also provides detailed steps to be taken before the election of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including for the nine Rulers to agree on the date of the Election Meeting. If both the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong positions become vacant, the election must be held within four weeks from the date the vacancies occur. The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal will then seek the consent of each Ruler to be nominated as either the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Any Ruler who does not wish to be nominated must submit a written notice to the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, and the state will be moved to the end of the nomination list. When the Conference of Rulers convenes to vote, only the Malay Rulers, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal and the assistant secretary to the Conference of Rulers are involved in the process. The four Yang di-Pertua Negeri do not attend despite being members of the Conference of Rulers. The election is conducted through a secret ballot using unnumbered papers, all marked with the same pen and ink. The completed ballots are placed into a ballot box and once the result is announced, the papers are destroyed (either burned or shredded) in the presence of the Rulers. The Ruler with the shortest reign, who is not nominated as a candidate for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is appointed to assist the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal in counting the ballots. During the election, each Ruler receives a ballot bearing the name of one candidate and is asked to indicate whether that candidate is suitable to serve as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The nominee must secure at least five votes before being offered the post by the presiding Ruler. If the nominee declines or fails to secure enough votes, the process continues with the next most senior Ruler on the list. The election concludes only after a nominee accepts the appointment. The Conference of Rulers then formally declares the Ruler as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will serve for a five-year term. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the current King of Malaysia, was sworn in as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31, 2024, following the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers in October 2023. His Majesty's installation ceremony took place on July 20, 2024. This marks the second time a Johor Ruler has been installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sultan Ibrahim's father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, had reigned as the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1984 to 1989.
Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Over 10,000 expected at Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday celebration in Limbang
(Seated, from left) Unos, Dr Abdul Rahman, Sagah and others hold the event promotional poster during the press conference. MIRI (May 29): More than 10,000 visitors from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and the Federal Territory of Labuan are expected to enliven the official celebration of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday in Sarawak, which will be held in Limbang from June 11 to June 15. Minister in-charge of the event, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, at a press conference today said the Limbang Division has been chosen as the host for this year's celebration. He said the event is hosted by a different division each year to promote awareness of the monarchy's significance among all levels of Sarawakian society. 'We are giving every division in Sarawak, including Limbang, the opportunity to host the official celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday. This year, Limbang was selected to give its people a chance to understand the significance and importance of the monarchy institution. 'In the context of unity, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a symbol of strength for our country's ethnic diversity and serves as a balance for justice and welfare among Malaysians,' said Sagah. Sagah, who is also the State Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, said various exciting programmes will be held throughout the five-day celebration. Among the highlights are Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Limbang Civic Centre (June 11), 'Raja Kita' Exhibition at the Limbang Civic Centre (June 12 to 15), Special Sermons at all mosques in Sarawak (June 13), Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Jannatul Firdaus Mosque, Limbang at 6pm (June 13), and Tea Reception at the Limbang Civic Center (June 14). There will also be side events such as Limbang Kitchen, Limbang Idol, and more. Also present at the press conference were the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Hall and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Limbang Resident Unos Tambi. birthday celebration limbang Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian Muslims to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha on June 7
KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha on June 7, according to Datuk Mohd Aseral Jusman, Assistant Secretary of the Conference of Rulers. In an announcement broadcast by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Tuesday (May 27) night, he also declared that 1 Zulhijjah 1446H will fall on Thursday (May 29). 'To fulfil the command of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with the consent of Their Royal Highnesses the Rulers, I hereby declare on behalf of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal that 1 Zulhijjah 1446H will be on May 29, 2025,' he said. 'As such, Hari Raya Korban will be observed throughout Malaysia on Saturday, June 7, 2025,' he added. — Bernama
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Both state, federal civil servants in Sarawak to have additional public holiday on June 4
Photo for illustration purposes only. KUCHING (May 27): Both state and federal civil servants in Sarawak will have an additional public holiday on June 4. A notice from State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki dated yesterday stated that the additional holiday is to replace overlapping public holidays on June 2. 'The Sarawak government has agreed to declare June 4, 2025 (Wednesday) as a public holiday for the Sarawak civil service, including Sarawak statutory bodies and Sarawak local authorities, in view of the overlapping celebration of Gawai Dayak and the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday,' he said in the notice. A similar notice was issued by Sarawak Federal Secretary Datuk Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan today for federal civil servants. 'In accordance with the letter declaring an additional public holiday declaration from the Sarawak State Secretary dated May 26, 2025 in relation to the above matter, it is hereby notified that June 4, 2025 (Wednesday) is also an additional public holiday for the federal civil service, including federal statutory bodies, in Sarawak,' said Ahmad Nadzri. June 3 is also a public holiday to replace the first day of Gawai Dayak on June 1, as it is a Sunday. On May 10, the Labour Department had said employees observing Gawai Dayak will be entitled to a replacement holiday on June 3 since June 2, which is the second day of Gawai, overlaps with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday. It explained that according to the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's Birthday is a day off that must be given to employees and cannot be replaced with another day, while Gawai is an optional day off that is set based on the religion and culture of the employee. 'For employees under the Ordinance who are given Gawai holidays, June 3, 2025 should be used as the replacement day off. However, this replacement date may be changed to another day by mutual agreement between the employer and employee, in accordance with Section 104(2) of the same Ordinance,' the statement read. It added that Section 104(1) of the Ordinance also provides that if any holiday falls on an employee's rest day, then the next working day shall be made a substitute holiday. 'For example, if June 1, 2025 is an employee's rest day, then June 3, 2025 should be made a public holiday, while June 4, 2025 will be the second public holiday,' it added.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: Efforts underway to formally establish media council
PUTRAJAYA: Efforts to formally establish the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) are currently underway, with an official announcement expected by the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration on June 14. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the process will commence once the Malaysian Media Council Bill that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 26 and the Dewan Negara on March 19 receives the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's consent and is officially gazetted. "We expect to begin the process of officially establishing the Malaysian Media Council within the next few weeks, once the bill receives the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and is gazetted. "It will take some time due to both administrative and financial aspects, which involve waiting for allocations from the Finance Ministry. Insya-Allah, we hope to have good news about the MMC by (the time) Hawana (day comes)," he told reporters after the Communications Ministry's monthly assembly here today. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa were also in attendance. Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. Fahmi previously said the establishment of the MMC, which has been approved by Parliament, is expected to begin functioning by mid-year. The council will serve as a self-regulatory body to safeguard media freedom and uphold journalistic ethics, while also empowering the media industry in Malaysia. In his speech earlier, Fahmi said Hawana 2025 is not just a celebration but a platform to strengthen the media ecosystem and recognise the vital role played by journalists. "It also aims to reinforce professionalism and responsible freedom of expression among media practitioners. As a curtain-raiser, a pre-launch for Hawana will take place on June 3 at Wisma Bernama," he said. The highlight of Hawana 2025 will take place on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being the guest of honour. The event is expected to gather around 1,000 journalists from Malaysia and abroad. Organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, Hawana 2025 will feature a variety of activities, including a Pesta Pantun on May 31, a pre-launch event with strategic partners at Wisma Bernama on June 3, and a media forum jointly hosted with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) on June 14.
