The First Amongst Equals

The Prime Minister as head of the Government is charged with the responsibility for keeping the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in touch with the general administration of the country. His principal function is to preside over the Cabinet, where he is primus inter pares - the first amongst equals. An equally important function however is coordination of policy and effort.

As the leader of his political party, he enjoys the confidence of his Cabinet colleagues and is thus available to reconcile differences of opinion between them. Having a general overall view of government policy and administration, he is undoubtedly in a position to see more dispassionately the relative importance of perfectly justifiable conflicts of interest, which are bound to occur between portfolios in a modern system of government.

The Prime Minister has certain constitutional and statutory functions in addition to the ones described above. He advises the Yang Di-pertuan Agong on the appointment of the Judges, the Service and Election Commissions, and the filling of certain senior posts in the civil service. He also tenders advice on the bestowal of orders of chivalry and other awards.

The Prime Minister has a Secretariat and a Department directly under his control, which is, called the Prime Minister's Department (Jabatan Perdana Menteri). The Prime Minister's Department in general oversees and coordinates the policies of the Federal Government and their implementation. Its main divisions and units are as follows;