PUTRAJAYA, April 7 — The existing Cabinet is the ‘caretaker government’ starting from the time of the dissolution of Parliament until the new cabinet ministers are appointed after the general election or Parliament sits again after the general election whichever is earlier.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, in a statement to Bernama today, said the caretaker government could take actions for the purpose of conducting government administrative affairs until a new government was formed.
“Some examples of such administrative matters are like continuing the implementation of existing policies and holding government official functions,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday announced the dissolution of Parliament today to pave the way for the 14th General Elections (GE14).
Ali said the concept of a caretaker government was a constitutional convention that was practised in Commonwealth countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia which adopted a parliamentary democracy system.
Ali, referring to a court case, said the Federal Court had also acknowledged that the Cabinet had to be there at all times to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong even after the Parliament was dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Article 43 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
Ali also explained that Article 40 of the Federal Constitution stated that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall act on the advice of the Cabinet or minister who was empowered by the Cabinet. — Bernama
