CONSTITUTION OF THE BARISAN NASIONAL
ARTICLES
- CITATION
- NATURE OF ORGANISATION
- INTERPRETATIONS
- THE ORGANISATION
- OBJECTS
- MEMBERSHIP
- ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION
- REPLACEMENT OF MEMBERS
- NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
- QUORUM
- FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
- DECISIONS
- DEFERMENT OF DECISION
- DICIPLINE
- EMBLEM
- FINANCE
- AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
- DOCUMENTS TO BE RETURNED
- CHANGE OF ADDRESS
- HEADQUARTERS
- INTERPRETATION OF RULES
- STATE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE
- DIVISIONAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE
- CONVENTION
1. CITATION
This Organisation shall be called the Barisan Nasional of Malaysia (hereinafter referred to as the Barisan Nasional).
2. NATURE OF ORGANISATION
The Organisation is basically an Association of political parties which subscribe to the objects of the Barisan Nasional.
3. INTERPRETATIONS
In the context of the Constitution
(A) The Barisan Nasional means the Barisan Nasional of Malaysia;
(B) Member means the individual representative of a member party;
(C) Member party means any of the party as set out in Article 6;
(D) The Dewan Tertinggi means the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council of Malaysia;
(E) The State Co-ordinating Committee means the Barisan Nasional at State level;
(F) The Divisional Co-ordinating Committee means the Barisan Nasional at Divisional level. A division shall consist of a Parliamentary constituency.
4. THE ORGANISATION
The Barisan Nasional shall be administered
(A) On national level by the Dewan Tertinggi;
(B) On the State level by the State Coordinating Committee;
(C) On Parliamentary Constituency level by the Divisional Co-Ordinating Committee
5. OBJECTS
The objects of the Barisan Nasional shall be:
(A) To foster and maintain a united and harmonious Malaysian nation;
(B) To strive for material and spiritual development and maintain Islam as the religion of the Federation but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation; and to uphold and practise the principles of the Rukunegara;
(C) To strive for the establishment of a fair and just society;
(D) To promote closer relationship between the member parties.
6. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Barisan Nasional consists of:-
- The United Malays Organisation (UMNO)
- The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
- The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
- Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB)
- Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)
- Malaysian People’s Movement Party (GERAKAN)
- People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
- Party ‘Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS)
- United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun
- Organization (UPKO)
- Sabah United Party (PBS)
- Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
- Party Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
- Such other political parties as all the member parties shall unanimously decide to admit into the Barisan Nasional.
7. ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION
(i) Dewan Tertinggi
The Barisan Nasional affairs shall be administered by the Dewan Tertinggi which shall function as the supreme executive body of the Barisan Nasional. The Dewan Tertinggi shall consist of the following:-
(A) Chairman
(B) Deputy Chairman
(C) Vice Chairman
(D) Secretary General
(E) Treasurer General
(F) Three representatives from each member party, including if any, member appointed as Vice Chairman.
(G) A representative representing all youth movements from all Members to be appointed and decided by the Co-ordinating Committee of the said Barisan Nasional Youth Movement.
(H) A representative representing all women movements from all Members to be appointed and decided b the Co-ordinating Committee of the said Barisan Nasional Women’s Movement.
(ii) The Officials of Barisan Nasional
The officials of Barisan Nasional shall consist of the following:-
(A) Chairman
(B) Deputy Chairman
(C) Vice Chairman
(D) Secretary General
(E) Treasurer General
(F) Public Officer
(iii) The Functions of Officials of the Dewan Tertinggi
(A) Chairman
The Chairman of the Barisan Nasional, who shall also be the Chairman of the Dewan Tertinggi, shall be elected by the members of the Dewan Tertinggi. The Chairman shall remain in office at the pleasure of the Dewan Tertinggi.
In the event of the Chairman resigning from his office, the resignation shall be effective after approval of the Dewan Tertinggi which shall elect as soon as possible a new Chairman.
The Chairman shall have the power to call a meeting of any of the State, Divisional Co-Ordinating Committees.
(B) Deputy Chairman
The Deputy Chairman of the Barisan Nasional, who shall also be the Deputy Chairman of the Dewan Tertinggi, shall be elected by the Members of the Dewan Tertinggi. The Deputy Chairman shall remain in office at the pleasure of the Dewan Tertinggi.
In the event of the Deputy Chairman resigning from his office, the resignation shall be effective after approval of the Dewan Tertinggi which shall elect as soon as possible a new Deputy Chairman.
The Deputy Chairman shall carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Chairman in his absence either in the country and / or in meetings.
(C) Vice Chairman
Each member party shall appoint any of its three representatives as a Vice Chairman in the Dewan Tertinggi. The Vice Chairman shall remain in office at the pleasure of the Dewan Tertinggi. In the absence of the Chairman, an Acting Chairman shall be elected from among the Vice Chairman in consultation with the Dewan Tertinggi to carry out all duties of the Chairman. The Acting Chairman shall have the powers of the Chairman while he is carrying out the duties of the Chairman.
The functions of the Vice Chairman in general shall be to assist the Chairman in his duties apart from being the head of the representatives of the parties which they represent, and also to look after the interest of the parties they represent and to ensure that the respective party shall not act in any way contrary to the Constitution of the Barisan Nasional or the policies which have been formulated by the Dewan Tertinggi.
(D) Secretary General
The Secretary General shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman after consultation with the Dewan Tertinggi and shall be responsible for the administration of Barisan Nasional.
(E) Treasurer General
The Treasurer General shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman after consultation with the Dewan Tertinggi and shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Barisan Nasional.
(F) Public Officer
The Public Officer shall be appointed for a period of two years of at a time by a Chairman and shall be the officer who shall sue or be sued in the name of the Barisan Nasional. He may or may not be a member of the Dewan Tertinggi.
(iv) Functions, powers and responsibilities of the Dewan Tertinggi.
The functions, powers and responsibilities of the Dewan Tertinggi shall be as follows:-
(A) To formulate policies for the Barisan Nasional.
(B) To co-ordinate matters connected with Parliamentary, State and Local Authority elections;
(C) To decide on disciplinary measures affecting member parties;
(D) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, to make standing rules and orders as it may consider necessary for the proper conduct of the Barisan Nasional’s business;
(E) The Dewan Tertinggi may delegate its powers to any of its committees which it may set up;
(F) To approve the formation and specify the membership of the State and Divisional Co-ordinating Committees.
(G) To form the Barisan Nasional Youth and Women’s Movement.
8. REPLACEMENT OF MEMBERS
Member parties shall have the right to replace their representative or representatives in the Dewan Tertinggi, or in any other committee or committees in filing notice of replacement with the Secretary General and such replacement shall take effect from the date of filing of the said notice.
9. NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
At least fourteen days notice in writing shall be given of a meeting of the Dewan Tertinggi except in case of urgency, a meeting may be held at such shorter notice as the Chairman may direct.
10. QUORUM
The quorum for a meeting of the Dewan Tertinggi is by majority of member parties present.
11. FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
The Dewan Tertinggi shall meet at least twice a year called on the direction of the Chairman or Acting Chairman. One of such meetings shall be the Annual General Meeting of the Dewan Tertinggi provided it is held not later than June each year. At the written request of not less than one-third of the total number of member parties the Secretary General shall call a meeting to be termed a special meeting of the Dewan Tertinggi within twenty-one days of receipt of such of written request.
12. DECISIONS
Decisions at meetings of the Dewan Tertinggi shall be by unanimity; provided that decisions taken under Articles 14 and 21 shall be by majority, in which case each member shall have one vote.
13. DEFERMENT OF DESICIONS
Any member party which for some valid reason could not attend any Dewan Tertinggi meeting shall have the right to ask for deferment of the implementation
of the decision taken at the said meeting and in which event the Dewan Tertinggi shall convene another meeting as soon as possible to discuss the same matter.
14. DISCIPLINE
The Dewan Tertinggi shall have the power to discipline, suspend or expel any member party for acting in any manner prejudicial to the interest of the Barisan Nasional.
15. EMBLEM
The emblem, badge and flag of the Barisan Nasional is golden “dacing” against a dark blue background provided however any member party may be permitted to use their respective emblem, badge and flag if deemed necessary.
16. FINANCE
(i) Sources of Income
The income of the Barisan Nasional shall be derived from member party contributions and other donations.
(ii) Authority for expenditure
Authority for utilising the Barisan Nasional’s funds is vested in the Chairman.
(iii) Accounts
The Treasurer General shall keep proper accounts of income and expenditure and prepare annual statement of accounts ending 31st December each year, which, after audit, shall be submitted to the Dewan Tertinggi at its Annual General Meeting for adoption.
(iv) Auditor
The Dewan Tertinggi shall appoint auditor(s) to audit the account books of the Barisan Nasional.
17. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
Alterations or additions to the Constitution shall only be made at a meeting of the Dewan Tertinggi, and they shall become operative only after approval by the Registrar of societies.
18. DOCUMENTS TO BE RETURNED
In the event of any member party ceasing to be member of the Barisan Nasional or of its representative(s) withdrawing from his own party, such party or its representative(s) shall ipso facto vacate his seat in the Dewan Tertinggi or other committees, and such party or representative (s) shall be obliged to return to the Secretary General all documents received by the party or its representative(s) from the Chairman, the Secretary General or the Treasurer General during their tenure of office. A written undertaking to this effect shall be given by every individual member of the Dewan Tertinggi or any other committees to the Secretary General upon his or her election, co-option or appointment of office.
19. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
It shall be the duty of every member of the Dewan Tertinggi and of any other committees to notify the Secretary General in writing of any change of his address. The Barisan Nasional shall not be responsible for non – receipt of communications, notices, etc. on account of change of address. All notices, communications, etc. left at or addressed by post to the last known address of a member shall be deemed to have been validly served.
20. HEADQUARTERS
The Headquarters of the Barisan Nasional shall be at Suite 1 & 2, 8th Floor, Menara Dato’ Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur or at such place as may be determined by the Dewan Tertinggi and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Headquarters shall be called the “Barisan Nasional Headquarters, Malaysia”.
21. NTERPRETATION OF RULES
In case of any dispute as to the interpretation construction, and meaning of any of the Articles of this Constitution or of any Standing Rules and Orders, the interpretation construction, rendering or meaning determined by majority members of the Dewan Tertinggi shall be final and conclusive.
22. STATE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE
(i) The State Co-Ordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional shall comprise the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, three representatives from each Member party including the Vice Chairman, a representative of the Youth Movements representing all the Youth Movements from each Member appointed by the Coordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional Youth Movement at State level and a representative of the Women’s Movements representing all the Women’s Movements from each Member a pointed by the Coordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional Women s Movement at State level.
(ii) The functions, of officials of the State Co-Ordinating Committee shall be as follows:-
(A) Chairman
The Chairman of the State Co-Ordinating Committee shall be appointed by the Chairman of Dewan Tertinggi in consultation with the Dewan Tertinggi. In the case of states where there are affiliated parties or Alliance the Chairman shall be appointed in consultation with the Chairman of the affliated parties or Alliance of the state concerned. The Chairman shall hold office at the pleasure of the Chairman of the Dewan Tertinggi shall preside at all meetings of the State Co-ordinating Committee.
(B) Vice Chairman
Each member party shall appoint any of its three representatives as a Vice Chairman in the State Co-ordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional. The Vice Chairman shall remain in office at the pleasure of the party he represents.
In the absence of the Chairman, an Acting Chairman shall be elected from among the Vice Chairman. While exercising the functions of the Chairman, the Acting Chairman shall have the full power as that of the Chairman.
(C) Secretary
The Secretary shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman of the State Co-ordinating Committee in consultation with the State Co-ordinating Committee and shall be responsible for general administration of the State Co-ordinating Committee.
(D) Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be a pointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman of the State Co-ordinating Committee in consultation with the State Co-ordinating Committee and shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the State Co-ordinating Committee.
(iii) The functions, powers and responsibilities of the State Co-ordinating Committee shall be as follows:-
(A) To coordinate activities of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committees;
(B) To act as the liaison body between the Dewan Tertinggi and Divisions in the State in all matters as may be specified by the Dewan Tertinggi;
(C) To maintain and foster close relationship and solidarity between member parties in the State;
(D) To carry out such directives as may be issued to it by the Dewan Tertinggi including the formation of the Barisan Nasional Youth and Women’s Movements at State level.
23. DIVISIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE
(A) The Divisional Co-ordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional shall comprise of three representatives from Member party, a representative representing all Youth Movements from each Member party appointed by the Co-ordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional Youth Movement at Divisional level, a representative representing all Women Movements from each Member party appointed by the Co-ordinating Committee of the Barisan Nasional Women’s Movement at Divisional level, Member of Parliament and State Assemblymen from Barisan Nasional, if any, and the following officials shall be appointed from amongst the representatives of Member party only:-
(i) Chairman
(ii) Secretary
(iii) Treasurer
If the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee consist of less than eight representatives, each of the member parties in the Division may appoint up to two additional members of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee.
(B) The functions of officials of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee shall be as follows :-
(i) Chairman
The Chairman of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman of the Dewan Tertinggi in consultation with the Chairman of the State Co-ordinating Committee.
He may hold office for a period of two years and he shall preside at all meetings of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee.
(ii) Secretary
The Secretary shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time Cy the Chairman of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee of the division from anyone of the committee members in consultation with the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee. He shall be responsible for the proper administration of the Barisan Nasional of the division.
(iii) Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be appointed for a period of two years at a time by the Chairman of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee from anyone of the committee members in the division in consultation with the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee. He shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the division.
(iv) Member of Parliament and State Assemblymen of Barisan Nasional, if any.
The Member of Parliament and State Assemblymen of Barisan Nasional in the Division, if any, shall be ex-officio co-ordinating committee member of the division. He shall during his term of office as Member of Parliament or State Assemblymen as the case may be.
(C) The functions, responsibilities and powers of the Divisional Co-ordinating Committee shall be as follows;-
(i) To promote understanding and co-operation among the member parties in the division on matters of common interest;
(ii) To assist in the preparation and implementation of party project(s) for the people at the divisional level;
(iii) To assist in organising people to participate in community services;
(iv) To assist in the explanation of government policies to the people in the division;
(v) To act as a liaison body between the people in the division of the State.
(D) Frequency of Meetings of State and Divisional Co-ordinating Committee.
The State and Divisional Co-ordinating Committees shall hold their respective meetings at least once in two months or wherever directed by the respective Chairman or on a written request by not less than two-third of the Committee members of the respective committee.
(E) Quorum for Meeting
The quorum for the meeting of the State and Divisional Co-ordinating Committee is by majority of member parties present.
(F) Decision
Decision shall be by unanimity as set out in Article 12.
24. CONVENTION
(A) Convention at National Level or State Level may be held, if necessary.
(B) The agenda, number of delegates from each member party, venue and time for the convention as stated in (A) shall be determined by the Dewan Tertinggi. However, conventions held in states where there are affiliated parties or Alliance shall be decided by the affiliated parties or Alliance in the state concerned.