The power of the prime minister is subject to a number of limitations. Prime ministers removed as leader of their party, or whose government loses a
vote of no confidence in the House of Representatives, must advise a new election of the lower house or resign the office. The defeat of a
supply bill (one that concerns the spending of money) or unable to pass important policy-related legislation is seen to require the resignation of the government or dissolution of
Parliament, much like a non-confidence vote, since a government that cannot spend money is hamstrung, also called
loss of supply. The prime minister's party will normally have a majority in the
House of Representatives and party discipline is exceptionally strong in Malaysian politics, so passage of the government's legislation through the House of Representatives is mostly a formality. Under the Constitution, the prime minister's role includes advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on: • the appointment of the federal ministers (full members of cabinet); • the appointment of the federal deputy ministers, parliamentary secretaries (non-full members of cabinet); • the appointment of 44 out of 70 Senators in the
Dewan Negara; • the summoning and adjournment of sittings of the
Dewan Rakyat; • the appointment of judges of the superior courts (which are the High Courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court); • the appointment of the attorney-general and the auditor-general; and • the appointment of the chairmen and members of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission,
Election Commission, Police Force Commission, Education Service Commission, National Finance Council, and
Armed Forces Council; Under Article 39 of the Constitution, executive authority is vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, Article 40(1) states that in most cases, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is bound to exercise his powers on the advice of the Cabinet or a minister acting under the Cabinet's general authority. Thus, in practice, actual governing authority is vested in the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Acting prime minister From time to time, prime ministers are required to leave the country on business and a deputy is appointed to take their place during that time. In the days before jet aeroplanes, such absences could be for extended periods. However, the position can be fully decided by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia when the position remains empty following the sudden resignation or death of the prime minister.
Caretaker prime minister Under Article 55(3) of
Constitution of Malaysia, the
lower house of Parliament, unless sooner dissolved by the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong with his own discretion on the advice of the prime minister, shall continue for five years from the date of its first meeting. Article 55(4) of the Constitution permits a delay of 60 days in the holding of the general election from the date of dissolution and Parliament shall be summoned to meet on a date not later than 120 days from the date of dissolution. Conventionally, between the dissolution of one Parliament and the convening of the next, the prime minister and the
cabinet remain in office in a
caretaker capacity. == List of prime ministers of Malaysia ==