On 15 August 2023, a contingent of law students from SEGi College Sarawak, accompanied by members of the SEGi Moot and Law Society committees and esteemed lecturers from the Faculty of Law, embarked on a significant educational journey to the front gate of the Royal Palace, Istana Negara, located on Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
Istana Negara, the official residence and office of the King and Queen of Malaysia, holds paramount importance in the nation’s constitutional framework. The current royal couple, His Majesty the King of Malaysia, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, and the Queen, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, grace this regal abode.
The Royal Palace, the Royal Crest, and His Majesty the King hold immense significance in constitutional law. These iconic symbols embody constitutional monarchy in the Malaysian legal system. His Majesty the King assumes various constitutional roles, as stipulated by specific provisions within the Federal Constitution. These roles encompass being the Head of Islam over Federal Territories and states without Sultans (Article 3), serving as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian armed forces (Article 41), possessing the authority to summon, prorogue, or dissolve Parliament (Article 55), and granting Royal Assent to legislative bills read in Parliament, thereby transforming them into enforceable Acts of Parliament (Article 66), among other pivotal responsibilities. Furthermore, the Royal Palace serves as a distinguished venue for audiences with the Prime Minister to discuss the nation’s affairs and for hosting official visits by royalty from other countries.
The panoramic vista of the Royal Palace’s landscape, flanked by infantry and cavalry guards at the front gate, not only left SEGi’s aspiring law students captivated and amazed, but it also rekindled their enthusiasm for understanding and appreciating the constitutional roles of the Malaysian Monarch, as meticulously enshrined in the Federal Constitution—the bedrock of the Malaysian legal system.
Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy has been a central feature of the nation’s governance since its independence in 1957. The monarchy plays a significant role in the country’s governance, providing stability and a sense of national identity. This data underscores the vital role of the monarchy in Malaysia’s constitutional framework.
This educational visit underscores SEGi College Sarawak’s commitment to providing its students with valuable real-world experiences, enriching their understanding of constitutional law, and preparing them for successful careers in the legal field.
