Prime Minister of Malaysia

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Malaysia
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The Prime Minister of Malaysia (in Malay Perdana Menteri) is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is formally appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia, and is invariably the leader of the largest party in the federal House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), the elected lower house of Parliament. He heads the Cabinet of Malaysia, whose members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the prime minister's advice. Since independence in 1957 the prime minister has been from the United Malays National Organisation (UM, NO), the largest component party of the Barisan Nasional or National Front (known as Perikatan or Alliance until the 1969 general election).

The current and fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia is Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

[edit] Requirements for taking office

According to the Constitution of Malaysia, the Prime Minister must be:

A member of the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives).
Born a citizen of Malaysia; naturalised citizens may not be appointed as Prime Minister.

Although theoretically, the constitution gives the Yang di-Pertuan Agong discretion in the appointment of the Prime Minister, the appointment is invariably made based on vote-taking in the House or on the party commanding the most seats.

Worry has been expressed that Malays, whether from UMNO or Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), will prevent a non-Bumiputra (such as a Chinese Malaysian) from becoming Prime Minister. However, the government has repeatedly assured the public that the constitution does not mandate that the Prime Minister must be a Bumiputra. However, a non-Bumiputra has not been elected before.

[edit] List of Prime Ministers of Malaysia

Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
Tunku Abdul Rahman	1957	1970	UMNO
Tun Abdul Razak	1970	1976	UMNO
Tun Hussein Onn	1976	1981	UMNO
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad	1981	2003	UMNO
Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi	2003	(present)	UMNO