KUALA LUMPUR: National security and defence, Islamic affairs, education welfare, judicial appointments and international trade were among the matters discussed at the 271st meeting of the Conference of Rulers.
The meeting was held over two days at Istana Negara.
Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said the Conference was presented with the latest briefing on national security by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, while Chief of Defence Force Jen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman delivered a briefing on national defence.
He said the meeting also discussed reports and proposals from the Rulers and Governors Scholarship Fund Board, which was established more than 40 years ago through contributions from the Rulers to benefit selected students receiving scholarships and royal awards at all public institutions of higher learning.
“The Rulers also expressed their appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for granting RM1.3mil last year to support the fund,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
On the administration of Islamic affairs in each state, Syed Danial said the Conference discussed the appointment of members to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), halal certification, management of special Federal Government allocations for the maintenance and upgrading of Islamic educational institutions, as well as the implementation and achievements of “takmir” programmes nationwide.
“The Rulers also consented to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, continuing to chair the MKI for a further two-year term,” he said.
Syed Danial said the meeting also examined policy papers on proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, relating to land matters, as well as the Online Safety Act 2025.
He said the Conference further considered proposed appointments of judges to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court, in addition to other appointments requiring the consideration of the Conference of Rulers, including those involving the board of governors of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar.
On trade matters, Syed Danial said the Conference was briefed on and given explanations regarding several issues related to the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between Malaysia and the United States.
The meeting, which concluded yesterday, was chaired by the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim was present to grace the 271st meeting of the Conference.
Also in attendance were the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah; the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah; the Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah; the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail; and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Kelantan was represented by Tengku Mahkota Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra and Pahang by Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah.
The meeting was also attended by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar; the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Musa Aman; the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam; and the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also present at the meeting, which was attended by the mentris besar and chief ministers, as well as the Deputy Premier of Sarawak.
The last Conference of Rulers meeting was held on Oct 8 last year and was chaired by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
