Saturday, September 12, 2009

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the highest-ranking office created by the constitution of the federation of Malaysia. The office was first established at independence in 1957. In accordance with the constitution, the holder of this office is "the Supreme Head of the Federation" and as such is Malaysia's Head of State.
Translated into literal English, the words mean "He who is made Lord". However, common alternatives are "Supreme Ruler", "Paramount Ruler", or "Supreme Head of State". The office is best described in English as "King". Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected monarch as head of state. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDP) is one of the few elected monarchs in the world.
Since 1993, the full title in Malay has been, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Conqueror Majesty The Supreme Lord of the Federation). Prior to that, the honorific Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (The Dust Under The Feet Of His Royal Highness) was also used. The consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is called the Raja Permaisuri Agong. The couple are addressed in English as "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty".
In Malaysia's constitutional monarchy, the role of the YDP is largely ceremonial. The constitution specifies that the executive power of the Federal government is vested in the King 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 King from among the elected members of Parliament.
The 13th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu. His reign began on 13 December 2006 after his election by the Conference of Rulers. He was formally enthroned on 26 April 2007.

The King Can Do No Wrong

There must be an institution (a parliament, a prime minister or a court) countersigning and be accountable for ‘his’ action. In fact in many country modern monarchy interpret the king or the queen’s action as merely ceremonial. The king can do no wrong, in Yud’s explanation, also can be interpreted as the king can do nothing. As his ceremonial action must be introduced, countersigned and be responsible for for by other parties under the constitution.  thus, it is also explained why, according to the 1992 constitution and other constitutions,  the king “shall be enthroned in a position of  revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action.” The logic, according to Yud if the king do nothing (legally or politically), then the king cannot be exposed to any accusation. The government, the Parliament or the Court that countersign for the king, however, shall be subject to any action or accusation respectively.
The base line for this analysis was pre BE 2511 constitutions and post  2511 ones. The most extreme one that King Rama VII seemed not to prefer was issued in June BE 2475, one of the many aspects to control and balance the power was to limit his veto right to only seven days. After that, a law can be enacted even without his signature. Since then, the changes in constitutions on The King session reflected ambiguous changes that could contribute to less participation from the Parliament. Panelists discussed that the latest one drafted in  1997 by ‘people’s process’), which was said to be the most democratic constitution, was the one that the right can set new standards on “The King” in democratic constitution and they were passed to the 2550 one as well.

Abraj Al-Bait-A Blessing or Blasphemy?

Abraj Al-Bayt  The Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, is a building complex in Mecca, Saudi Ar...