Learn More About New Assembly Act

7/26/2019 Learn More About New Assembly Act

1/20

Learn more about new Assembly ActREFLECTING ON THE LAWBy SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

Previously, everything was prohibited unless permitted. Now everything is permitted

unless prohibited. This is a significant shift in civil rights thinking.

IN early legal systems, the r!mary e"# $% the la& &as t$ 'ee the ea(e) I" m$#er" legal $r#ers,

a *+st ala"(e et&ee" the m!ght $% the state a"# the r!ghts $% the (!t!-e"s !s attemte#) N$ %!el#

etter e.eml!%!es the #!%%!(+lty $% a(h!e/!"g th!s %a!r ala"(e tha" Malays!a0s la& relat!"g t$

assemly a"# r$(ess!$")

The re(e"tly e"a(te# 1ea(e%+l Assemly A(t 2342 has re(e!/e# m+(h (r!t!(!sm !" the me#!a a"#

#eser/es s(r+t!"y $% !ts h!gh a"# l$& $!"ts)

Police permit:1re/!$+sly +"#er Se(t!$"s 25 $% the 1$l!(e A(t, (!t!-e"s ha# t$ aly %$r a $l!(e

erm!t %$r gather!"gs $r r$(ess!$"s $% m$re tha" three e$le)

U"#er the "e& A(t, there !s "$ re6+!reme"t %$r a $l!(e erm!t, +t $rga"!sers $% asseml!es m+st

"$t!%y the a+th$r!t!es 43 #ays !" a#/a"(e +"#er Se(t!$" 7849) N$ "$t!(e !s re6+!re# %$r meet!"gs !"

#es!g"ate# la(es $r !% the assemly !s a" e.emte# assemly)

I% !" res$"se t$ a "$t!%!(at!$" the $l!(e #$ "$th!"g, the" +"#er Se(t!$" 4:829 s!le"(e !s #eeme#

as ($"se"t)

1re/!$+sly, e/eryth!"g &as r$h!!te# +"less erm!tte#) N$& e/eryth!"g !s erm!tte# +"less

r$h!!te#) Th!s !s a s!g"!%!(a"t sh!%t !" (!/!l r!ghts th!"'!"g)

No power to ban:U"#er the 1$l!(e A(t, asseml!es a"# r$(ess!$"s ($+l# e r$h!!te# $+tr!ght

$r ($"#!t!$"s !m$se#)

The "e& A(t !" Se(t!$" 4; erm!ts the OC1D t$ !m$se s!g"!%!(a"t restr!(t!$"s a"# ($"#!t!$"s

!"(l+#!"g the #ate, t!me a"# la(e $% the assemly) H$&e/er, there !s "$ $&er t$ !ss+e a"

$+tr!ght


2/20

What &$+l# e !mr$er !s !% the $&"ers $% #es!g"ate# la(es !"#+lge# !" the sele(t!/e gra"t!"g

$r re%+sal $% erm!ss!$") I% th!s hae"s, *+#!(!al re/!e& !s l!'ely $" the 8Art!(le @9 r!"(!le $%

e6+al!ty $r the a#m!"!strat!/e la& r!"(!les $% reas$"ale"ess, !rrat!$"al!ty $r a+se $% $&er)

!"empted assemblies:Th!s A(t #$es "$t aly t$ ele(t!$" (ama!g"s, str!'es, l$('$+ts a"#

!('ets +"#er the I"#+str!al Relat!$"s A(t a"# the Tra#e U"!$" A(t? Se(t!$" 489)

It !s als$ !"al!(ale t$ rel!g!$+s asseml!es, %+"eral r$(ess!$"s, &e##!"gs, $e" h$+ses,

%am!ly gett$gethers, %am!ly #ays a"# meet!"gs $% s$(!et!es $r ass$(!at!$"s? Th!r# S(he#+le

1aragrah 782989)

The &$r#s


3/20

Police discretion:U"#er the 1$l!(e A(t, $l!(e #!s(ret!$" t$ gra"t $r &!thh$l# a erm!t &as m$re

$r less +"%ettere# a"# the $&er t$ !m$se ($"#!t!$"s &as /ery &!#e, alth$+gh s+*e(t t$

$((as!$"al *+#!(!al re/!e& as !" Chai Choon Hon v Ketua Polis Kampar (1986) and Patto v CPO

Perak (1986))

S!m!lar t$ the 1$l!(e A(t, the "e& la& !" Se(t!$" 4; st!ll ($"%ers $" the me" !" l+e /ery &!#e

#!s(ret!$" t$ !m$se


4/20

I" s+m, the A(t has ma"y &h$les$me %eat+res) B+t !t !s #e%e(t!/e !" that !t !m$ses "$ $*e(t!/e

restra!"ts $" the $l!(e a"# m!"!ster!al #!s(ret!$")

Ne/ertheless, as *+#!(!al re/!e& !s "$t e.(l+#e#, ($+rts may r$/!#e a r$er ala"(e et&ee"

$l!(e $&ers a"# %+"#ame"tal %ree#$ms) Whether the ($+rts &!ll lay s+(h a ala"(!"g r$le

rema!"s t$ e see")


5/20

!nhancing (enate*s powerREFLECTING ON THE LAWBy SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

The ewan Negara has the important +federal function* of representing the states.

#egrettably, a number of factors have contributed to the diminution of this role.

LAST Sat+r#ay a sem!"ar &as hel# !" 1arl!ame"t t$ e.am!"e De&a" Negara0s %+"(t!$"!"g &!th a

/!e& t$ !mr$/!"g !ts !"st!t+t!$"al e%%!(a(y)

T$ eg!" &!th !t m+st e state# that !" $+r system $% g$/er"me"t the %+lly ele(te# a"#

rerese"tat!/e De&a" Ra'yat !s the ma!" (ha""el $% #em$(rat!( !m+lses !" the ($+"try)

The De&a" Negara, !" ($"trast, rerese"ts ge$grah!(al areas a"# se(!al !"terests rather tha"

the /$ters) U"#er Art!(le :; $% the Fe#eral C$"st!t+t!$" !t ($"s!sts $% a$!"te# as &ell as!"#!re(tly ele(te# se"at$rs as %$ll$&s?

F$rty%$+r se"at$rs a$!"te# y the !"g $" the a#/!(e $% the 1r!me M!"!ster, a"#

T&e"tys!. !"#!re(tly ele(te#


6/20

I% there are +"res$l/e# #!%%ere"(es et&ee" the Se"ate a"# the De&a" Ra'yat, the" +"#er

Art!(le @, the De&a" Ra'yat (a" yass the Se"ate a%ter $"e m$"th 8!" the (ase $% m$"ey B!lls9

a"# "$ less tha" $"e year 8!" the (ase $% "$"m$"ey B!lls9)

H$&e/er, Art!(le @ (a""$t aly t$ th$se ($"st!t+t!$"al ame"#me"ts that re6+!re a t&$th!r#s

ma*$r!ty !" $th H$+ses $% 1arl!ame"t)

#epresenting the (tates? The De&a" Negara has the !m$rta"t

Regrettaly, ($"st!t+t!$"al ame"#me"ts s!"(e the" ha/e all$&e# the rese"t 2 state se"at$rs t$

e $/er&helme# y :: a$!"te# se"at$rs)

S+(h a" +"%a/$+rale rat!$ et&ee" ele(te# a"# a$!"te# se"at$rs !s "$t ($"#+(!/e t$

#em$(rat!( leg!t!ma(y)

The /al!#!ty $% ame"#me"ts t$ the Se"ate0s ($m$s!t!$" t$ all$& "$m!"ate# memers t$$+t"+mer ele(te# memers &as (halle"ge# !" ($+rt +t +hel# !" the (ase $% 1ha"g Ch!" H$('

/ 11 47@3J)

Th!r#, !" Art!(le :;8:9 the C$"st!t+t!$" gra"ts erm!ss!$" t$ !"(rease the "+mer $% state se"at$rs

%r$m t&$ t$ three #e(rease the "+mer $% a$!"te# se"at$rs a"# r$/!#e %$r #!re(t ele(t!$"s t$

the Se"ate) We all '"$& that these ($"st!t+t!$"al #reams rema!" +"real!se#)

#epresentation to special groups? Ma"y r$%ess!$"ally 6+al!%!e# e$le ha/e a #!staste %$r

$l!t!(s) B+t they (a" ($"tr!+te the!r !t t$ the leg!slat!/e r$(ess !% they are a$!"te# se"at$rs

+"#er Art!(le :;849)

Regrettaly, atr$"age, a"# "$t the #em$(rat!( leg!t!ma(y $% e!"g a rerese"tat!/e %$r a se(!al

se(t$r, seems t$ e the (r!ter!$" %$r the a$!"tme"t $% s$me se"at$rs)

1re/!$+sly a se"at$r0s term &as s!. years) I" 475@, th!s er!$# &as (ha"ge# t$ three years &!th

the $ss!!l!ty $% $"e re"e&al) Th!s ame"#me"t has !"(rease# the e.e(+t!/e0s $&er $%

atr$"age a"# may ha/e a%%e(te# the !"#ee"#e"(e $% the se"at$rs)

eliberative function? Al$"g &!th the De&a" Ra'yat, the De&a" Negara r$/!#es a /al+ale

($"st!t+t!$"al sa%eg+ar# t$ (he(' a"# l!m!t the $&ers $% the G$/er"me"t)


7/20

Th!s (a" e a(h!e/e# thr$+gh 6+est!$" t!me, #eates a"# the +"+t!l!se# a/e"+e $% De&a"

Negara ($mm!ttees)

D+r!"g 6+est!$" t!me, m!"!sters m+st s+ly !"%$rmat!$", a"s&er 6+est!$"s a"# *+st!%y $l!(!es)

Deates $" B!lls $r $" t$!(s $% ($"tem$rary !m$rta"(e (a" r$/!#e the G$/er"me"t &!th a"

!m$rta"t se($"# $!"!$" $" !ss+es $% ($"(er") The #eates !" the De&a" Negara are m$re

#!g"!%!e# a"# $%te" $% a h!gher sta"#ar# tha" !" the l$&er H$+se)

H$& %ar they !"%l+e"(e g$/er"me"t $l!(y !s, h$&e/er, a matter $% $!"!$")

!mergency? A 1r$(lamat!$" $% Emerge"(y a"# a"y Emerge"(y Or#!"a"(e r$m+lgate# y the

!"g +"#er Art!(le 4;3 m+st e la!# e%$re $th H$+ses) The H$+ses ha/e the *$!"t $&er t$ l!%t

the emerge"(y $r t$ a""+l a" $r#!"a"(e)

alay #eserves? U"#er Art!(le @7, a state la& t$ #ereser/e a Malay Reser/at!$" m+st ear$/e# y a res$l+t!$" asse# y se(!al ma*$r!t!es !" $th H$+ses $% 1arl!ame"t) The De&a"

Negara (a""$t e yasse#)

!"ercise of privileges? I" rese(t $% !ts arl!ame"tary %+"(t!$"s, all memers a"# $%%!(ers $%

1arl!ame"t are e"t!tle# t$ s$me r!/!leges, !mm+"!t!es a"# $&ers +"#er Art!(les ;, 2, K )

O"e $% the r!/!leges !s t$ s+mm$" a"y $"e t$ aear as a &!t"ess e%$re a Se"ate C$mm!ttee)

D!s$e#!e"(e (a" am$+"t t$ ($"temt) There !s a re(e#e"t !" A+stral!a, &he" a M!"!ster &as

s+se"#e# %r$m the H$+se %$r re%+s!"g t$ s+ly a #$(+me"t #ema"#e# y the H$+se)

A ($"te"t!$+s !ss+e !s &hether, $" the r!"(!le $% searat!$" $% $&ers, the H$+se0s $&er t$

e.er(!se !ts r!/!leges e)g) t$ +"!sh %$r ($"temt, !s $e" t$ *+#!(!al re/!e& y the ($+rts)

)nstitutional efficacy? I" $r#er t$ !mr$/e the !"st!t+t!$"al e%%!(a(y $% the Se"ate, a "+mer $%

re%$rm r$$sals #eser/e ($"s!#erat!$"?

The ($"st!t+t!$"al $ss!!l!t!es !" Art!(le :;8:9 #eser/e ($"s!#erat!$"

T$ l!ghte" the l$a# $% the De&a" Ra'yat, s$me $l!t!(ally "$"($"tr$/ers!al B!lls sh$+l#

$r!g!"ate !" the De&a" Negara

Memers $% $th H$+ses sh$+l# e r$/!#e# &!th leg!slat!/e ass!sta"ts a"# $%%!(e sa(e as !s

the (ase !" ma"y $ther As!a" s$(!et!es

A 1arl!ame"tary I"st!t+te m+st e estal!she# t$ tra!" all M1s a"# se"at$rs

1arl!ame"t sh$+l# ha/e !ts $&", !"#ee"#e"t legal ($+"sel

The Se"ate sh$+l# a$!"t Sele(t C$mm!ttees %$r S(r+t!"y $% B!lls as !s erm!tte# y !ts

Sta"#!"g Or#ers


8/20

I" a##!t!$", the Se"ate a"# the H$+se $% Rerese"tat!/es sh$+l# +t !" la(e a system $% &ell

ser/!(e#, *$!"t, !"/est!gat$ry Sess!$"al C$mm!ttees t$ s(r+t!"!se the &$r'!"g $% m!"!str!es,

sele(te# stat+t$ry $#!es a"# s+(h $rga"!sat!$"s as the H+ma" R!ghts C$mm!ss!$", the A"t!

C$rr+t!$" C$mm!ss!$" a"# the 1+l!( C$mla!"ts B+rea+) C!t!-e" art!(!at!$" !" these

($mm!ttees sh$+l# e e"($+rage#)

W!th these re%$rms, the !"st!t+t!$"al e%%!(a(y $% the De&a" Negara ($+l# e s!g"!%!(a"tly

e"ha"(e#)


9/20

&onstitutional posers for -!/Re%le(t!"g $" the la&By SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

0nce Parliament is dissolved, a general election need not be held immediately. The

&onstitution permits a delay of 12 days from the date of dissolution.

A GENERAL ele(t!$" may e ar$+"# the ($r"er) S$ &e "ee# t$ r+sh + $" $+r '"$&le#ge $%

the ($"st!t+t!$"al r!"(!les relat!"g t$ ele(t!$"s)

No fi"ed term? U"#er Art!(le ;;89 $% $+r C$"st!t+t!$", the l!%e $% 1arl!ame"t !s state# t$ e %!/e

years %r$m the #ate $% !ts %!rst meet!"g) As that #ate &as Ar!l 2@, 233@, the e.!st!"g 1arl!ame"t

&!ll a+t$mat!(ally #!ss$l/e &he" the s+" r!ses $" Ar!l 2@, 234)

H$&e/er, !t !s ($"st!t+t!$"ally erm!ss!le %$r the 1r!me M!"!ster t$ a#/!se the a"g #!1ert+a"Ag$"g t$ #!ss$l/e 1arl!ame"t e%$re the e.!ry $% !ts term a"# therey t$ g!/e h!msel% the

a#/a"tage $% (h$$s!"g the m$st %a/$+rale t!me %$r the ele(t$ral ($"test)

Th!s !s !" ($"trast &!th ma"y C$mm$"&ealth ($+"tr!es !"(l+#!"g Br!ta!" &h!(h ha/e e"a(te# la&s

t$ ha/e %!.e# term leg!slat+res) Malays!a may &!sh t$ em+late th!s &h$les$me ra(t!(e)

!arly dissolution? Th$+gh the !"g !s a ($"st!t+t!$"al m$"ar(h re6+!re# t$ a(t $" a#/!(e, !" the

matter $% early #!ss$l+t!$", he has ee" e.l!(!tly /este# y Art!(le :382989 &!th a #!s(ret!$" t$

a((et $r re*e(t h!s 1M0s ($+"sel) C$"/e"t!$"ally, h$&e/er, he al&ays $l!ges th$+gh !"

e.(et!$"al (!r(+msta"(es he may "$t #$ s$)

!lections? O"(e 1arl!ame"t !s #!ss$l/e#, a ge"eral ele(t!$" "ee# "$t e hel# !mme#!ately) Art!(le

;;8:9 $% the C$"st!t+t!$" erm!ts a #elay $% 3 #ays %r$m the #ate $% #!ss$l+t!$") Th!s mea"s that

($"trary t$ $+lar e.e(tat!$"s $% early $lls, the "e.t ele(t!$" (a" e hel# as late as the last

art $% >+"e 234

O"e m+st "$te, h$&e/er, that the t!m!"g !s "$t %$r the 1M t$ #eterm!"e) The "$m!"at!$" #ate, the

#ate $% $ll!"g a"# the (ama!g" er!$# are !" the ha"#s $% the Ele(t!$" C$mm!ss!$", &h!(h m+st

a(t &!th !"#ee"#e"(e a"# !mart!al!ty) The rese"t la& erm!ts a (ama!g" er!$# $% "$ less

tha" se/e" #ays th$+gh "e&s has !t that %$r the "e.t ele(t!$", the EC &!ll erm!t 43 #ays)

)nterim period? Bet&ee" the #!ss$l+t!$" $% $"e 1arl!ame"t a"# the ($"/e"!"g $% the "e.t, &h$

steers the sh! $% state The C$"st!t+t!$" !s gl$r!$+sly s!le"t $" th!s !m$rta"t !ss+e) F$r th!s

reas$", the Br!t!sh ($"st!t+t!$"al ($"/e"t!$" !s a#$te# that the !"(+me"t 1M &h$ (alle# the

ele(t!$" ($"t!"+es t$ rema!" !" $%%!(e !" a (areta'er (aa(!ty)

Powers of the caretaker P? Lea#ersh! #+r!"g !"ter!m er!$#s $ses r$lems $% #em$(rat!(

leg!t!ma(y %$r the (areta'er g$/er"me"t) Th!s !s #+e t$ the %a(t that $"(e 1arl!ame"t !s #!ss$l/e#,

the 1M (eases t$ sat!s%y the t&!" re6+!reme"ts $% Art!(le :829)


10/20

These re6+!reme"ts are that the 1M m+st el$"g t$ the H$+se $% Rerese"tat!/es a"# he m+st

!" the *+#gme"t $% the !"g ($mma"# the ($"%!#e"(e $% the ma*$r!ty $% the memers $% the

H$+se) As the H$+se (eases t$ e.!st, the leg!t!ma(y r+g !s +lle# %r$m +"#er the 1M0s %eet)

F$r th!s reas$" there !s &$rl#&!#e #eate a$+t the "ee# t$ !m$se (lear (+rs $" the $&ers $%

!"ter!m g$/er"me"ts)

I" A+stral!a, a Careta'er C$"/e"t!$" has ee" #ra%te# t$ $+tl!"e that the r$er r$le $% s+(h a

g$/er"me"t !s t$ e a "!ght &at(hma", t$ h$l# the %$rt, "$t t$ !"!t!ate ra#!(al $l!(!es, "$t t$

#!sm!ss $r a$!"t "e& *+#ges $r +"#erta'e s!g"!%!(a"t e($"$m!( !"!t!at!/es)

I" I"#!a, the 1res!#e"t has $" se/eral $((as!$"s /et$e# (areta'er g$/er"me"ts0 meas+res

e(a+se e.er(!se $% s+(h $&ers may emarrass the g$/er"me"t t$ e %$rme#)

I" the Malays!a" (ase $% PP v Mohd Amin Mohd Raali 823329 the ($+rt hel# that Art!(le :3849,

&h!(h re6+!res the m$"ar(h t$ a(t $" a#/!(e, !s "$t al!(ale !% the a#/!(e !s re"#ere# y a

(areta'er g$/er"me"t #+r!"g the #!ss$l+t!$" $% 1arl!ame"t)

3ung Parliament? I% "$ s!"gle arty $r ($al!t!$" emerges &!th a" as$l+te 8;3 49

arl!ame"tary ma*$r!ty, the "e& leg!slat+re &!ll e re%erre# t$ as a h+"g 1arl!ame"t)

S+(h arl!ame"ts e.!st a"# %+"(t!$" thr$+gh$+t the &$rl# +t ha/e "e/er ma#e a" aeara"(e !"

Malays!a at the %e#eral le/el) C$mme"tat$rs are #eely #!/!#e# a$+t the!r #emer!ts $r mer!ts)

Appointment of P? Whate/er $"e0s /!e&s $" h+"g arl!ame"ts may e, !t has t$ e ($"(e#e#

that they (reate mass!/e r$lems %$r the Hea# $% State $" a "+mer $% !ss+es, am$"g them the(r!t!(al $"e $% &h$ !s t$ e tr+ste# &!th the ma"tle $% lea#ersh!) Se/eral ($met!"g

($"s!#erat!$"s are a/a!lale)

F!rst !s the !"(+me"(y r+le) I% "$ $"e se(+res a" as$l+te ma*$r!ty, the (areta'er 1M m+st e

g!/e" the %!rst (ha"(e t$ %$rm the g$/er"me"t)

Se($"#, !" Neal there !s a ($"st!t+t!$"al r+le that !" a h+"g 1arl!ame"t, the %!rst !te $% the

(herry m+st e $%%ere# t$ the lea#er $% the largest arty)

Th!r#, !% a /!ale ($al!t!$" $r a +"!ty g$/er"me"t (a" e hammere# $+t, !t sh$+l# get the (ha"(e

t$ lea# the "at!$")

F$+rth, !% "$ ($al!t!$" (a" e ($le# t$gether, the Hea# $% State sh$+l# a$!"t a


11/20

The r$er ($+rse $% a(t!$" &$+l# e %$r 1arl!ame"t t$ meet, a /$te $% "$($"%!#e"(e t$ e ta'e"

a"# the" $"ly the H$+se #!ss$l/e# %$r a "e& ele(t!$" +"less a" alter"at!/e g$/er"me"t (a" e

+t !" la(e)

&aretaker*s tenure? I% the r+l!"g arty %a!ls at the ge"eral ele(t!$", m+st the (areta'er 1M &h$

t$$' the ($+"try t$ the $ll res!g" !mme#!ately I" E"gla"# G$r#$" Br$&" re%+se# t$ ste #$&"

t!ll he ha# 8+"s+((ess%+lly9 e.ha+ste# e%%$rts t$ %$rm the g$/er"me"t)

I% the (areta'er 1M re%+ses t$ ste #$&", (a" the !"g #!sm!ss h!m

I% the %$rmat!$" $% a +"!ty $r ($al!t!$" g$/er"me"t ta'es a l$"g t!me, m+st the #e%eate# 1r!me

M!"ster rema!" !" $%%!(e t!ll a "e& 1M !s a$!"te# M$st ama-!"gly, Belg!+m &e"t ;; #ays &!th

a (areta'er g$/er"me"t e(a+se the "e& g$/er"me"t t$$' t!me t$ e !e(e# t$gether)

The erm+tat!$"s $% $l!t!(s are ma"y a"# m$re tha" a"y $ther ase(t $% a "at!$"0s $l!t!(al l!%e,

ge"eral ele(t!$"s thr$& + !ss+es that test $+r &!s#$m t$ the %+llest)


12/20

!mergency powers of the monarchRe%le(t!"g O" The La& y SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

A caretaker government*s advice on emergency proclamation is not binding on the 4angdi'Pertuan Agong.

THIS ($l+m" ha# $" >a" 43 "$te# that the last #ate %$r the De&a" Ra'yat0s #!ss$l+t!$" !s Ar!l

25 a ge"eral ele(t!$" m+st e hel# $" $r e%$re >+"e 2 a"# the "e.t 1arl!ame"t m+st e

s+mm$"e# $" $r e%$re A+g 2;)

Th!s !s res+m!"g a"# ray!"g that "$ emerge"(y +"#er Art!(le 4;3 !"ter/e"es t$ s+se"# the

ge"eral ele(t!$" $r $st$"e the s+mm$"!"g $% 1arl!ame"t)

I" res$"se t$ the >a" 43 art!(le, s$me rea#ers ha/e ra!se# e"thrall!"g 6+est!$"s $%

($"st!t+t!$"al $l!t!(s)

F!rst, (a" the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g a(t $" h!s $&" !"!t!at!/e t$ r$(la!m a" emerge"(y e/e" !%

the 1r!me M!"!ster #$es "$t s$ a#/!se

Se($"#, !% a 1M, &h$ %ears #e%eat at the ge"eral ele(t!$", !mr$erly a#/!ses the !"g t$ #e(lare

a" emerge"(y a"# t$ $st$"e the ele(t!$"s, !s the m$"ar(h $+"# y th!s a#/!(e $r !s !t

($"st!t+t!$"ally erm!ss!le %$r h!m t$ re%+se h!s rem!er0s ($+"sel

Th!r#, !s the !"g0s e.er(!se $r "$"e.er(!se $% emerge"(y $&er s+*e(t t$ (halle"ge !" the

($+rts

(ub$ective language? Art!(le 4;3 states that

the (ateg$ry $%


13/20

I" the (ase $% Ma#ha/a" Na!r, the" 1r!me M!"!ster T+"'+ A#+l Rahma" s+m!tte# !" ($+rt that

+st!(e Cha"g M!" Tat $!"e# that emerge"(y r+le #$es

"$t #!sla(e the !"g0s $s!t!$" as the ($"st!t+t!$"al m$"ar(h, $+"# y the C$"st!t+t!$" t$ a(t at

all t!mes $" the a#/!(e $% the Ca!"et)

Re%ere"(e may als$ e ma#e t$ s!m!lar $!"!$"s !" Teh Che"g 1$h 847579, Stehe" al$"gN!"g'a" / T+" Aa"g Ha*! Oe"g 8N$) 29 84759 Bala'r!sh"a" / 1 1er'h!#mata" A&am 847@49

Mer#e'a U"!/ers!ty 847@29 Stehe" al$"g N!"g'a" / G$/er"me"t 847@9 A#+l Gha"! Al!

Ahma# 823349 a"# aram S!"gh 84779)

I" the l!ght $% the a$/e (ases, !t !s s+m!tte# that the r$(lamat!$" $% emerge"(y y the !"g !s

"$t %ree $% the ($"st!t+t!$"al re6+!reme"t t$ a(t !" a(($r#a"(e &!th the a#/!(e $% the 1r!me

M!"!ster)

Art!(le 4;3849 that est$&s emerge"(y $&er m+st e rea# al$"g &!th Art!(le :3849 a"# :384A9

that !m$se a #+ty t$ a(t $" a#/!(e)


14/20

E/e" +"#er the Am!" Ra-al! r+l!"g, !% 1arl!ame"t !s s!tt!"g a"# the Ca!"et !s !" e.!ste"(e, the

a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g e.er(!ses h!s emerge"(y $&ers $" a#/!(e)

%udicial review? B+t &hat !% the r+l!"g arty a+ses emerge"(y $&ers t$ s+/ert the

C$"st!t+t!$", t$ $/erthr$& +"%r!e"#ly state g$/er"me"ts a"# t$ $st$"e ele(t!$"s

I" I"#!a, the %e#eral g$/er"me"t has reeate#ly a+se# emerge"(y $&ers t$ rem$/e ele(te#

state g$/er"me"ts a"# t$ !m$se %e#eral r+le) Stat!st!(s !"#!(ate that state g$/er"me"ts, $%te"

($"tr$lle# y $$s!t!$" ($al!t!$"s, &ere %e#eral!se# 43 t!mes et&ee" 47;3 a"# 477;

The S+reme C$+rt $% I"#!a, there%$re, !"ter/e"e# !" S R B$mma!0s (ase 8477:9 t$ h$l# that the

/al!#!ty $% a r$(lamat!$" (a" e *+#!(!ally re/!e&e# t$ #eterm!"e &hether !t &as !ss+e# $"

rele/a"t mater!al a"# &hether !t &as !" a# %a!th)

Malays!a" *+r!sr+#e"(e !s, h$&e/er, ge"erally !" %a/$+r $% *+#!(!al "$"!"ter/e"t!$" $" the !ss+e

$% r$(lamat!$" $% a" emerge"(y? Stehe" al$"g N!"g'a" 847@9 a"# 11 / O$! ee Sa!'

847539) A ($"st!t+t!$"al ame"#me"t !" 47@4 arr!"g all *+#!(!al re/!e& $% emerge"(y $&ers

+"#er a "e& (la+se 4;38@9 seems t$ +t the !ss+e ey$"# all #$+t)

H$&e/er, there rema!" see#s here a"# there !" the al$"g N!"g'a" (ases that mala "ide8a#

%a!th9 may e a gr$+"# %$r *+#!(!al s(r+t!"y $% emerge"(y $&ers)

It rema!"s t$ e see" &hether these s+#+e# /$!(es &!ll $"e #ay e($me ma!"stream)

T!ll the", !t (a" e s+mme# + that a g$/er"me"t &!th a ma*$r!ty !" arl!ame"t 8+t "$t a

(areta'er g$/er"me"t9 has the r!ght t$ g!/e !"#!"g a#/!(e t$ the !"g relat!"g t$ the e.(et!$"al$&ers +"#er Art!(le 4;3)

H$&e/er, !% the g$/er"me"t a+ses !ts emerge"(y $&ers %$r &r$"g%+l +r$ses, three

$ss!!l!t!es ($me t$ m!"#) F!rst, a saga(!$+s m$"ar(h may #elay, (a+t!$" a"# &ar") Se($"#, he

may re%+se t$ !ss+e the r$(lamat!$" a"# h!s re%+sal (a""$t e re/!e&e# y the ($+rts e(a+se

$% Art!(le 4;38@9 &h!(h (+ts $th &ays) Th!r#, there !s s$me $ss!!l!ty $% s(r+t!"y y the ($+rts $%

!ss+es $% mala "ide rem$te th$+gh th!s $ss!!l!ty !s $" e.!st!"g *+r!sr+#e"(e)


15/20

#oyal powers after dissolutionRe%le(t!"g O" The La&By SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

6nderstanding the constitutional provisions and conventional wisdom of how the

monarch can be thrust into the limelight and have an influence in the course of the

nation*s history.

UNLESS ele(t!$"s are (alle# remat+rely, the s+" &!ll set $" De&a" Ra'yat0s %!/eyear term $"

Ar!l 25) U"#er Art!(le ;;8:9 $% the C$"st!t+t!$", a Ge"eral Ele(t!$" m+st e hel# &!th!" 3 #ays

$% the #!ss$l+t!$" a"# the "e.t leg!slat+re m+st e ($"/e"e# &!th!" 423 #ays $% the #ate $"

&h!(h 1arl!ame"t &as #!ss$l/e#)

Th!s mea"s that the last #ate %$r Ge"eral Ele(t!$" !s >+"e 2 a"# the "e.t 1arl!ame"t m+st

($"/e"e $" $r e%$re A+g 2;) Th!s ($"st!t+t!$"al s(heme (a""$t e halte# $r altere# e.(et y

the #rast!( 8a"# +"th!"'ale9 meas+re $% re#e(lar!"g a" emerge"(y +"#er Art!(le 4;3) D+r!"g a"

emerge"(y all r$/!s!$"s relat!"g t$ ele(t!$"s a"# the ($"/e"!"g $% 1arl!ame"t (a" e

s+se"#e# as hae"e# !" 477)

!mergency? I" the #e(larat!$" $% a" emerge"(y, (a" the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g a(t a(($r#!"g t$

h!s $&" #!s(ret!$" $r !s he $+"# y the a#/!(e $% the 1r!me M!"!ster S(h$lars as &ell as *+#ges

are !" #ee #!sagreeme"t)

Th$se &h$ see the !"g as art $% the (he(' a"# ala"(e me(ha"!sm arg+e that the #e(larat!$"

$% a" emerge"(y !s $"e $% the e.(et!$"al #!s(ret!$"ary $&ers $% the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g, !"

the e.er(!se $% &h!(h he !s "$t $+"# y a re6+est $% the $l!t!(al e.e(+t!/e)

Others $!"t t$ a &ealth $% (ase la& that Art!(le 4;3 $" emerge"(y !s "$t %ree $% the ($"st!t+t!$"al

m$"ar(h0s ge"eral #+ty +"#er Art!(le :3849 t$ a(t $" a#/!(e)

The m!##le ath et&ee" these t&$ (lash!"g /!e&s !s that !" e.er(!s!"g s+(h a" e.(et!$"al

$l!t!(al $&er as r$(la!m!"g a" emerge"(y the !"g sh$+l# "$t a(t $" h!s $&" !"!t!at!/e e.(et

!" a (alam!ty &he" the Ca!"et !s "$t !" e.!ste"(e t$ a#/!se h!m) At $ther t!mes, !% ($+"sele# t$

&!el# th!s e.(et!$"al $&er, the m$"ar(h (a" (a+t!$", &ar" a"# #elay +t !" the last res$rt he

m+st a((et a#/!(e)

F+rther, a #!st!"(t!$" sh$+l# e ma#e et&ee" a 1M &!th a arl!ame"tary ma*$r!ty a"# a

(areta'er 1M) I" 11 / M$h# Am!" M$h# Ra-al! 823329 !t &as la!# #$&" that $+r ($"st!t+t!$"al

m$"ar(h !s "$t $+"# y Art!(le :3849 t$ a(t $" a#/!(e !% the a#/!(e !s re"#ere# y a (areta'er

g$/er"me"t #+r!"g the #!ss$l+t!$" $% 1arl!ame"t)

As!#e %r$m the r!/et!"g !ss+e $% emerge"(y, &hat are the $&ers $% the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g !"

the !"ter!m er!$# et&ee" the #!ss$l+t!$" $% the De&a" Ra'yat a"# the a$!"tme"t $% the "e.t


16/20

ele(te# g$/er"me"t There !s a &ealth $% re(e#e"ts a"# erm+tat!$"s %r$m the C$mm$"&ealth

a"# $"ly a r$a# s+mmary !s $ss!le)

&aretaker government? O" the #!ss$l+t!$" $% 1arl!ame"t, a Westm!"ster ($"/e"t!$" '!('s !" that

the !"(+me"t 1r!me M!"!ster &h$ (alle# ele(t!$"s rema!"s at the helm as a" !"ter!m, (areta'er

lea#er &h$se *$ !s t$ h$l# the %$rt +t #$ "$th!"g ra#!(al that may emarrass the !"($m!"g

g$/er"me"t) There are re(e#e"ts ar$+"# the &$rl# &herey the Hea# $% State has re%+se#

a#/!(e y (areta'er g$/er"me"ts t$ +"#erta'e ra#!(al $r ($"tr$/ers!al meas+res) The Am!"

Ra-al! re(e#e"t !" Malays!a a%%!rms th!s se"s!le $s!t!$")

7ictory for incumbent:I% the !"(+me"t !s ret+r"e# t$ $&er &!th a" as$l+te ma*$r!ty !" the

De&a" Ra'yat 8!" $+r (ase 442 $+t $% 422 seats9, he sat!s%!es the t&!" re6+!reme"ts $% Art!(le

:829 a"# the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g has "$ #!s(ret!$" +t t$ a$!"t h!m as the 1M)

Leadership deadlock? H$&e/er, !% the r+l!"g arty $r ($al!t!$" !s #ea#l$('e# a$+t the (h$!(e $%

!ts lea#er, the" a &h$le "e& /!sta $e"s + %$r the M$"ar(h t$ lay a (reat!/e r$le) I" A+stral!a

the G$/er"$rGe"eral has $" a %e& $((as!$"s a$!"te# a ers$" %r$m a"$ther arty t$ h$l# the

$st tem$rar!ly t!ll the ma*$r!ty arty res$l/es !ts lea#ersh! !ss+e)

It !s "$te&$rthy that the 1M "ee# "$t el$"g t$ a arty) T+" Mahath!r &as &!th$+t $"e &he"

UMNO &as #e(lare# !llegal) I"#!ra Ga"#h! &as e.elle# %r$m the C$"gress 1arty +t reta!"e#

her rem!ersh! #+e t$ the s+$rt $% the L$' Saha 8H$+se $% Rerese"tat!/es9) F$r +r$ses

$% the C$"st!t+t!$" !t !s the s+$rt $% 1arl!ame"t a"# "$t $% the arty that matters)

7ictory for opposition? I% the $$s!t!$" &!"s a" as$l+te ma*$r!ty, the !"(+me"t sh$+l# te"#er

h!s res!g"at!$" as e.e#!t!$+sly a"# gra(e%+lly as $ss!le) I% he %a!ls t$ #$ s$, the C$"st!t+t!$" !s

s!le"t $" the matter +t s(h$lars are agree# that the !"g has a reser/e, res!#+al, rer$gat!/e

$&er t$ rem$/e h!m) I% a #e%eate# rem!er a#/!ses #e(larat!$" $% a" emerge"(y, the m$"ar(h,

+"#er the Am!" Ra-al! re(e#e"t, &$+l# ha/e the $&er t$ say


17/20

H$& l$"g (a" a" !"ter!m 1M rema!" !" the sa##le

There !s "$ legal g+!#a"(e a"# $"e "$tes &!th !"(re#+l!ty that re(e"tly Belg!+m &e"t ;; #ays !"

a (areta'er m$#e e%$re a ($al!t!$" g$/er"me"t ($+l# e st!t(he# t$gether)

C$al!t!$" $r +"!ty $r m!"$r!ty g$/er"me"t? I% a $l!t!(al arty $r %a(t!$" !s ale t$ ($le t$gether a

/!ale ($al!t!$" &!th ma*$r!ty s+$rt, the m$"ar(h &!ll a$!"t !ts lea#er as the 1M) B+t !% s+(h

a" arra"geme"t (a""$t e ma#e, the m$"ar(h may e.er(!se h!s !"%l+e"(e t$ +t t$gether a +"!ty

g$/er"me"t %$r a" !"ter!m er!$# e"#!"g "e& ele(t!$"s)

I% th!s t$$ aears !m$ss!le, the M$"ar(h may, !" the last res$rt, a$!"t a m!"$r!ty g$/er"me"t

that (a" m+ster a# h$( s+$rt t$ ass the +#get a"# se(+re esse"t!al leg!slat!$") S+(h

g$/er"me"ts are "$t +"($mm$" +t are !"here"tly +"stale a"# sh$rt l!/e#)

I" er%$rm!"g the a$/e %+"(t!$"s H!s Ma*esty m+st a(t &!th statesma"sh! a"# $l!t!(al

!mart!al!ty)

All !" all, !t !s (lear that #es!te h!s r$le as a ($"st!t+t!$"al m$"ar(h, &h$ !s ge"erally $+"# y

a#/!(e, the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g !s thr+st !"t$ the $l!t!(al (a+l#r$" !% ele(t!$" res+lts sh$& a

stalemate) H!s saga(!$+s e.er(!se $% #!s(ret!$" (a" (ha"ge the ($+rse $% the "at!$"0s h!st$ry)


18/20

Appointment of Prime inister

Re%le(t!"g O" The La&By 1r$% Sha# Saleem Far+6!

8hen the 3ouse has no one commanding a ma$ority, the 4ang di'Pertuan Agong*s

discretion can change the course of the nation*s history.

OF all the ($"st!t+t!$"al %+"(t!$"s $% the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g, the m$st (r!t!(al a"#

($"tr$/ers!al !s the a$!"tme"t $% the 1r!me M!"!ster)

I" e.er(!s!"g th!s %+"(t!$", H!s Ma*esty !s $+"# y Art!(le :8298a9 &h!(h !m$ses t&$

re6+!reme"ts? the 1M #es!g"ate m+st e a memer $% a"# ha/e the ($"%!#e"(e $% the ma*$r!ty $%

the memers $% the De&a" Ra'yat)

embership:U"l!'e !" A+stral!a &here the 1M (a" el$"g e!ther t$ the H$+se $%

Rerese"tat!/es $r the Se"ate, $+r 1M m+st e a" M1 !" the De&a" Ra'yat)

It !s ($"(e!/ale, h$&e/er, that !" s$me e.treme (!r(+msta"(es &e may %$ll$& the D$+glas

H$me re(e#e"t %r$m the U)

I" the 3s, S!r Ale( D$+glas H$me, a eer !" the H$+se $% L$r#s, &as ele(te# lea#er $% the

C$"ser/at!/e 1arty)

Whe" h!s arty &$" the ele(t!$"s, he res!g"e# h!s eerage a"# &as a$!"te# 1M) S$$"

therea%ter, a /a(a"(y &as (reate# !" the C$mm$"s &h!(h he ($"teste# a"# &$")

I" Sela"g$r !" the @3s, Dat+' A+ Hassa" &as s!m!larly a$!"te# Me"tr! Besar $% Sela"g$r e/e"

e%$re he &as ele(te# t$ the State Assemly)

&onfidence:The &$r#!"g !" Art!(le :829 that the 1M m+st e a ers$" &h$, !" the $!"!$" $%

the m$"ar(h, e"*$ys the ($"%!#e"(e $% the ma*$r!ty $% the memers $% the De&a" Ra'yat, (reates

the !mress!$" that the !"g has a &!#e, s+*e(t!/e #!s(ret!$" t$ a"$!"t a"y M1 &!th the rem!er0s

$st) The tr+th !s 6+!te #!%%ere"t)

I% there !s a arty $r ($al!t!$" e"*$y!"g a" as$l+te ma*$r!ty !" the De&a" Ra'yat, the !"g has "$

(h$!(e +t t$ a$!"t !ts lea#er as the 1M)

U"l!'e the C$"st!t+t!$"s $% "!"e states &!th Malay R+lers &here the as!( la& e.l!(!tly me"t!$"s

that the MB m+st e a MalayM+sl!m, the Fe#eral C$"st!t+t!$" !m$ses "$ re6+!reme"t $% ra(e,

rel!g!$" $r reg!$")

H$&e/er, there !s a ($"st!t+t!$"al ($"/e"t!$" !" %a/$+r $% a Malay a$!"tee) C$"/e"t!$"s are "$t

r+les $% la& a"# th!s ($"/e"t!$" may %a(e ress+re !" the %+t+re %r$m a +m!+tra as!ra"t %r$m


19/20

Saah $r Sara&a') We m+st rememer that the t&$ states t$gether $ssess ; arl!ame"tary

seats)

I" the a$!"tme"t $% a 1M, h!s s+$rt !" the De&a" Negara !s !rrele/a"t) H!s arty0s $r

($al!t!$"0s t$tal $+lar /$te at the ele(t!$"s #$es "$t ($+"t) It !s h!s seats !" the De&a" Ra'yat

that #eterm!"e the !"g0s (h$!(e) S$me %a(t$rs that may tr!gger the !"g0s ers$"al #!s(ret!$" are

as %$ll$&s?

eath or illness of the P:I% a /a(a"(y ar!ses !" the $%%!(e $% the 1M #+e t$ #eath $r !ll"ess 8as

hae"e# $" the #em!se $% T+" Ra-a' !" >a"+ary 4759, the r$er ($+rse %$r the m$"ar(h

&$+l# e t$ &a!t %$r the r+l!"g arty $r ($al!t!$" t$ (h$$se !ts "e& lea#er)

H$&e/er, H!s Ma*esty may ele/ate the De+ty t$ the t$ $st r!ght a&ay &!th$+t &a!t!"g %$r the

arty lea#ersh! #e(!s!$")

Lack of unanimity? I% the r+l!"g arty !s h$elessly #!/!#e# $" the (h$!(e $% a lea#er, !t !s

($"(e!/ale that the m$"ar(h may ma'e a ers$"al (h$!(e %r$m the arl!ame"tary arty)

Alter"at!/ely, as !" A+stral!a ma"y t!mes, the !"g may a$!"t a ers$" %r$m a"$ther arty t$

h$l# the $st tem$rar!ly t!ll the ma*$r!ty arty ma'es + !ts m!"#)

&aretaker government:Malays!a %$ll$&s the Br!t!sh ($"/e"t!$" that the 1M &h$ a#/!se#

#!ss$l+t!$", a"# h!s Ca!"et, rema!"s !" $%%!(e !" a (areta'er (aa(!ty &!th$+t the "ee# %$r a "e&

s&ear!"g!")

H$&e/er, !% #+r!"g the #!ss$l+t!$", the 1M #!es $r s+%%ers ser!$+s !ll"ess, the" Art!(le :829

erm!ts the a"g #!1ert+a" Ag$"g &!#e #!s(ret!$" t$ a$!"t a"y ers$" &h$ &as a memer $%

the last H$+se $% Rerese"tat!/es t$ helm the "at!$")

3ung Parliament:A h+"g 1arl!ame"t !s $"e !" &h!(h "$ arty $r ($al!t!$" ($mma"#s a"

as$l+te ma*$r!ty !" the H$+se $% Rerese"tat!/es)

The g$/er"me"t !" $&er (a" l$se !ts ma*$r!ty !" the H$+se %$r a "+mer $% reas$"s) It may

s+%%er #eaths, res!g"at!$"s $r #e%e(t!$"s (a+s!"g !ts memersh! t$ #! el$& the ;3 4 /$te)

Or, the ge"eral ele(t!$" may res+lt !" a stalemate a"# "$ arty $r gr$+!"g may emerge a (lear

/!(t$r)

I" s+(h a s!t+at!$" &he" the H$+se has "$ $"e ($mma"#!"g a ma*$r!ty, the a"g #!1ert+a"

Ag$"g0s #!s(ret!$" ass+mes a (r!t!(al, (e"tral r$le a"# h!s #e(!s!$" (a" (ha"ge the ($+rse $% the

"at!$"0s h!st$ry) What are h!s (h$!(es

F!rst, he (a""$t r+" the ($+"try $" h!s $&") That &$+l# e ($"trary t$ the $/erall s!r!t $% the

C$"st!t+t!$")

Se($"#, H!s Ma*esty (a""$t $r#er a"$ther ge"eral ele(t!$" a%ter the *+st ($mlete# !"#e(!s!/e

$"e)


20/20

The C$"st!t+t!$" !s (lear !" Art!(le ;;8:9 that a%ter a #!ss$l+t!$", the "e& arl!ame"t shall e

s+mm$"e# "$t later tha" 423 #ays) Th!s mea"s that a%ter a" ele(t!$", a 1M m+st e a$!"te#,

the H$+se m+st meet, a"# a /$te $% ($"%!#e"(e m+st e ta'e")

Th!r#, !% ele(t!$" res+lts are !"#e(!s!/e a"# "$ ma*$r!ty g$/er"me"t (a" e !"stalle#, the !"g (a"

%$ll$& the

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