Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan: Not the constitutional function of the Conference of Rulers to determine the state ruler — Hafiz Hassan

In a recent article, Professor Dr. Shad Faruqi expounded on the constitutional significance of the Conference of Rulers, describing it as a unique assembly with essential functions such as electing and dismissing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and having the power to pardon.

According to Article 38(2) of the Federal Constitution, this assembly also holds legislative veto powers and plays a key role in appointing crucial federal positions.

However, the succession of a state ruler remains a matter determined by respective state constitutions, not the Conference of Rulers.

The opinion highlights the distinction between federal and state jurisdiction in matters of succession.

SEPTEMBER 26 — In a beautiful and eloquent description of the Conference of Rulers, the country’s leading expert of constitutional law, Professor Dr Shad Faruqi wrote as follows:

“The mystique of the monarchy is best reflected in the unique institution of the Conference of Rulers. This august assembly dates back to July 1897 when it met for the first time in Kuala Kangsar, the citadel of the Sultan of Perak.

“Under the Federal Constitution, the Conference of Rulers has been invested with a number of critical constitutional functions, including veto power over some constitutional amendments, right to be consulted on some key government appointments and right to deliberate on national policies, including matters relating to Islam and Malay privileges.

“The conference has the great constitutional role of electing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It has the dramatic power to dismiss the King.

“If the King or a ruler is to be tried in a court under Article 182, the conference has the authority to appoint two out of the five judges on the Special Court. If the King or a Sultan or the consort of the King or a Sultan is found guilty in a court, the conference has the power to grant a pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, suspension or commutation of the sentence.”

The eminent Dr Shad then went on to explain the constitutional functions of the Conference of Rulers as are set out by Article 38(2) of the Federal Constitution, that is, on:

election and dismissal of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong;

legislative veto of federal legislation on several critical and sensitive issues such as the privileges, position, honours or dignities of the Rulers and alteration of the boundaries of a state;

appointments of several critical federal posts such as judges of the superior courts, Auditor–General, and chairpersons and members of the Public Services Commission and the Election Commission;

extension of any religious acts to the Federation as a whole;

changes in policy relating to privileges of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak;

Not listed above is succession as a ruler of a state.

Behold, Article 71 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the State Constitutions.

Under Clause (1), the Federation “shall guarantee the right of a Ruler of a State to succeed and to hold, enjoy and exercise the constitutional rights and privileges of Ruler of that State in accordance with the Constitution of that State; but any dispute as to the title to the succession as Ruler of any State shall be determined solely by such authorities and in such manner as may be provided by the Constitution of that State ”. (Emphasis added)

Under Clause (2), the guarantee in Clause (1) extends “with the necessary modifications” to a Ruling Chief of Negeri Sembilan.

In other words, while the federal guarantee extends to a Ruling Chief, any dispute as to the succession as the State Ruler shall be determined solely by such authorities and in such manner as may be provided by the State Constitution – that is, the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS).

Accordingly, and with due respect, a notification to the Conference of Rulers of Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar’s selection as the State’s 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar and therefore the only person with lawful authority to perform the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar under the UUTKNS, including attending meetings of the Conference of Rulers, does not determine the succession to rulership of the State.

It is not a constitutional function of the Conference of Rulers to determine who between Tuanku Muhriz and Tunku Nadzruddin is the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

* This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail .

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在最近的一篇文章中，沙德·法鲁奇教授博士阐述了统治者会议的宪法意义，将其描述为一个独特的会议，具有选举和罢免最高元首以及赦免权等重要职能。

根据联邦宪法第 38(2) 条，该议会还拥有立法否决权，并在任命重要的联邦职位方面发挥关键作用。

然而，国家统治者的继任问题仍然由各州宪法决定，而不是由统治者会议决定。

该意见强调了联邦和州在继承问题上的管辖权区别。

9月26日——该国宪法学权威专家沙德·法鲁奇教授博士对统治者会议进行了优美而雄辩的描述，内容如下：

“君主制的神秘性在统治者会议这一独特的机构中体现得最为淋漓尽致。这个庄严的会议可以追溯到1897年7月，当时它在霹雳州苏丹的城堡瓜拉江沙举行了第一次会议。

“根据联邦宪法，统治者会议被赋予了许多重要的宪法职能，包括对某些宪法修正案的否决权、对一些关键政府任命的咨询权以及对国家政策（包括与伊斯兰教和马来人特权有关的事项）进行审议的权利。

“会议具有选举国家元首和廷巴兰国家元首的重大宪法作用。它拥有罢免国王的巨大权力。

“如果国王或统治者要根据第182条在法庭受审，会议有权任命特别法庭五名法官中的两名。如果国王、苏丹或国王、苏丹的配偶在法庭上被判有罪，会议有权给予赦免、缓刑、暂缓执行、减刑、中止或减刑。”

随后，德高望重的沙德博士继续解释了联邦宪法第38(2)条规定的统治者会议的宪法职能，即：

选举和罢免国家元首；

立法机关否决联邦立法中涉及的若干关键和敏感问题，例如统治者的特权、地位、荣誉或尊严以及改变国家边界；

任命了几个重要的联邦职位，例如高等法院法官、审计长、公共服务委员会和选举委员会的主席和成员；

将任何宗教行为推广至整个联邦；

与马来人和沙巴、砂拉越土著居民特权相关的政策变化；

以上未提及的是国家统治者的继承问题。

请看，联邦宪法第71条保障了各州宪法。

根据第（1）款，联邦“应保障一邦统治者继承并持有、享有和行使该邦统治者宪法权利和特权的权利；但任何关于一邦统治者继承权的争议，均应由该邦宪法规定的机构以该宪法规定的方式予以裁决”。（重点为笔者所加）

根据第 (2) 条规定，第 (1) 条规定的保证“经必要修改”后适用于森美兰州的统治酋长。

换句话说，虽然联邦保障延伸至统治酋长，但任何关于州统治者继承的争议，应完全由州宪法规定的机构以州宪法规定的方式决定——即森美兰州政府法令（UUTKNS）。

因此，恕我直言，向统治者会议通报东姑纳扎鲁丁·端姑嘉法当选为该州第十二任最高元首，并因此成为唯一有权根据《统一国家君主制》履行最高元首职能（包括出席统治者会议）的人，并不决定该州统治权的继承。

统治者会议的宪法职能并不是决定端姑慕力兹和东姑纳兹鲁丁之间谁是国家元首。

* 这是作者或刊物的个人观点，并不一定代表《马来邮报》的观点。

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