The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal (, Jawi: ) is the government official in Malaysia charged with custody and use of the Rulers' Seal of Malaysia on behalf of the Conference of Rulers. The Rulers' Seal is the symbol of the traditional authority of the royal institutions in Malaysia, namely the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) and the hereditary rulers of the states of Malaysia.Fungsi Mohor Besar Raja-raja (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010 The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal is the secretary to the Conference of Rulers and convenes the Conference three times a year, or at the request of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is appointed by the Conference as specified in the Constitution of Malaysia.Role Of The Conference Of Rulers In Constitutional Monarchy System In Malaysia Malaysian Monarchy. Accessed June 8, 2010
His most publicly visible role is to announce the beginning of fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the dates of the Muslim religious holidays, Aidilfitri and Aidiladha, in Malaysia.Soalam lazim (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010
History The office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal was established in preparation for the first meeting of the Conference of Rulers on February 18, 1948.Penubuhan (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010 Prior to independence, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal was a senior government position, equal in stature to the most senior Menteri Besar among the states in the Federation of Malaya. This changed after independence in 1957, when all the rulers became constitutional monarchs under the federal and state constitutions.Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010
Role
The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal's primary administrative responsibility is to convene the Conference of Rulers by serving notices to the nine hereditary rulers and four non-hereditary Yang di-Pertua Negeri (governors). His office is responsible for arranging the transportation of the rulers and governors from their respective states to the meeting venue.Fungsi Pejabat Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja Malaysia (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010 During special meetings of the Conference to elect a new Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he is responsible for distributing and then counting the ballot papers, which are kept secret.Election Of The Yang di-Pertuan Agong And Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong Malaysian Monarchy. Accessed June 8, 2010
The second highest position in the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal is the Assistant Secretary of the Conference of Rulers, who assists in managing the Conference's meetings and elections.Carta Organisasi (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010
List of Keepers of the Rulers' Seal Listed below are Keepers of the Rulers' Seal from 1948 to present:Mantan Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja (in Malay). Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Accessed June 8, 2010 # Keeper of the Rulers' Seal From To Duration 1 Raja Ayob Raja Bot February 1948 May 1948 90 days2 Abdullah Nordin June 1948 December 1949 1 year, 214 days3 Raja Shahar Shah Raja Haron April 1949 December 1949 275 days4 Tengku Husin Tengku Yahaya January 1950 May 1950 120 days5 Tunku Ya'acob Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah May 1950 January 1952 1 year, 276 days6 Mustafa Al-Bakri Hasan February 1952 January 1954 2 years, 1 day7 Tunku Ya'acob ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah February 1954 December 1955 1 year, 334 days8 Mustafa Al-Bakri Hasan January 1956 August 1957 1 year, 243 days9 Abdul Rahim Abdul Rauf September 1957 May 1963 5 years, 274 daysActing Tunku Shahriman Tunku Sulaiman June 1963 August 1963 92 daysActing Aziz Zakaria September 1963 October 1963 30 days10 Ahmad Husin October 1963 September 1980 17 years, 5 days11 Ahmad Zainal Abidin Muhammad Yusof October 1980 September 1988 8 years, 2 daysActing Abdul Rahim Kassim, Assistant Secretary of the Conference of Rulers October 1988 December 1988 92 days12 Engku Ibrahim Engku Ngah January 1989 January 2011 22 years, 5 days13 Syed Danial Syed Ahmad January 2011 present 12 years, 124 days
See also Keeper of the Seals
References
External links Pejabat Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja (Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal)