Question 1 Discuss the concept of constitutional monarchy with reference to Malaysia. Constitutional Monarchy in General Constitutional monarchy can be described as a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state but operates within the parameters or guidelines of a written and/or unwritten constitution. Although the government may operate officially in the monarch's name, the monarch does not set public policies or choose political leaders. Constitutional monarchy therefore differs from absolute monarchy in which the monarch controls political decision-making without being limited by constitutional constraints. Therefore, a constitutional monarch has often been defined as a sovereign who reigns but does not govern. Constitutional monarchies are also called limited monarchies, crowned republics or parliamentary monarchies. It has been observed that most constitutional monarchies have a parliamentary system in which the monarch may have ceremonial functions or reserve powers in accordance with the constitution. In the United Kingdom, the rights and duties of the head of state are set by conventions. These are non-statutory rules that are just as binding as formal constitutional rules. The monarch's reserve powers include the power to grant pardons, grant honours, appoint and dismiss a prime minister, refuse to dissolve Parliament, and refuse or delay royal assent to legislation. Strict constitutional conventions govern the use of reserve powers. If these powers are used contrary to tradition, it will usually cause a constitutional crisis. In a constitutional monarchy, a directly or indirectly elected Prime Minister will be the head of government and exercise policy...... article ...... First, Performance Now'.ReferencesNordin, M. and H. Hussiin. 2011. Malaysian Studies. Shah Alam: Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd. Jali, NHM, M. Redzuan, AA Saman and IHM Rashid. 2010. Malaysian Studies: Nationality and Citizenship. Petaling Jaya: Prentice Hall. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchies_of_Malaysia (accessed April 15, 2014) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong (accessed April 15, 2014) http: //www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/07/unique-constitutional-monarchy-in-malaysias-parliamentary-democracy-new/(accessed April 15, 2014)http://www.theborneopost.com/ 2013/10 /17/strengthening-racial-integration-vital-for-national-unity-lam-thye/(accessed April 16, 2014)http://globalpeace.org.my/2013/10/malaysias-unity- ses-challenges- tan-sri-lee-lam-thye-trustee-of-1malaysia-foundation/(accessed April 16, 2014)