1. THE
JUDICIARY
(THE COURT)

2. Chief Justice
 YAA Tun Dato’ Seri Arifin bin Zakaria
(Dato’ Lela Negara)
 Born on 1st Oct. 1950, Kg Repek, Pasir Mas
Kelantan
 12th Sept - Current

3. ROLE AND JURISDICTION
 Defend justice for everyone
 Guided by the Federal Constitution

4. ROLE (CONT’D)
Areas of
jurisdiction
Interpret the
Constitution
Interpret law
Proclaim a
Federal or
State law
Invalid
Declare a
government
action as
invalid
Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim
(Lord President of Supreme
Court, 1974-1982)

5. JUDICIAL SYSTEM STAGES
Federal
Court
•Consists of Chief Justice, 4 judges and a number of additional judges
•Validate the law
•Settle disputes (Federal vs. States / between states)
•Deliberates on appeal of civil and criminal cases
•Advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
High Court
•Headed by the Chief Judge
•Hear cases with death penalty
•Hear civil cases (matrimonial, bankruptcy, guardianship)
Lower
Court
•Session Court, Magistrate court, “Penghulu” Court, District Court, Juvenile Court, Syariah Court,
Industrial Court

6. Court Hierarchy

7. Freedom of the Court
 Free from political influence or pressure
 Constitution guarantee the court from
being controlled
 Article 127 – behavior of the judges
cannot be simply discussed in any
Parliamentary Council
 Article 126 – protects the high position of
the court

8. THE EXECUTIVE BODY
 Sultan and Yang Dipertua Negeri – Head
of a state and symbolizes the sovereignty
Sultan Raja Yang Dipertuan Besar Yang Dipertua
Negeri
Selangor Perlis Negeri Sembilan Malacca
Perak Penang
Pahang Sabah
Johore Sarawak
Kelantan
Kedah
Terengganu

9. Authority
 Appointment of Menteri Besar
 Assent to the request for dissolving the State
Legislative Assembly
 Request Rulers Council to meet - special rights,
position, sovereignty, supremacy, religious acts,
practices, and ceremonies
 Head of Islamic Religion or Malay Customs
 Appointment of heir, queen, acting ruler
 Appointment of people holding ranks, titles,
honours and designation
 Making rules relating to the royal audience hall
and palace

10. State Executive Council
 Federal Level – State Cabinet
 Peninsular – State Executive Council
 Sabah – Cabinet
 Sarawak – Supreme Council

11. Authority
 Forming state policies and
implementation
 Advisor
 Cabinet – Ministry
 State Executive Council - Portfolios