© Fairuz Hidayat Merican, 2014

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 CONTENTS
3.1 Definitions & Functions of Executive
3.2 Classifications of Executive
3.3 Comparison btwn Parliamentary &
Presidential Executive
3.4 Definitions & functions of civil service

3.5 Principle of dichotomy in politics-

administration
3.1 – Definitions &
Functions of Executive
Definition: wider scope

All govt officials except the legislative & judiciary;

Aggregate of all agencies concerned with the

execution of the will of the state that has been
formulated & expressed in terms of law;

Also includes civil servants.

Definition: narrow scope

Political executive:

Head of govt, head of state, cabinet

members.

Elected/appointed for a certain number of

years;

Remain in power as long as their party

commands the majority in the legislature.
Definition: narrow scope

Non-political executive:

Civil servants;

Execute the law & policies;

Carry out admin in detail;

Employment is not affected by change in

govt/admin.
 Internal
administration
Financial
function External
Functions administration
of
Judicial Executive
function
Military
function
Legislative
function
1
Internal Administration:

Ensure law & order;

Maintain internal peace & security;

Political executives formulate the public policies;

Non-political executives implement the policies.

2
External Administration:

Ensure mutual interaction with other countries

for peace & security;

Foreign/international relations:

Recognize new States;

Send & receive diplomats;

Establish/withdraw diplomatic ties;

Formulate foreign policy.

3
Military Function (War & Defence):

Secure territorial integrity of the state;

Protect country from external threats;

Declare war (if necessary);

Organize & strengthen armed forces.

4
Legislative function:

Depends of the form of govt:

Parliamentary Presidential
Ministers are also MPs; President can veto bill.
Summon & adjourn
Parliamentary sessions;
Executive involved in law-
making;

Dissolve lower house.

Judicial Functions:
Monitor the administration of courts & guarantee
justice for its people;
In most countries, executive appoints the judges.
Grant pardon:
 To a convicted person;
 Prevent death penalty to important person;
 Save person who was politically convicted;
 Prevent judicial malpractice.
Grant amnesty:
 To a group of persons: political offenders.
Financial Functions:
Govt spends huge sums of money to perform their
functions.
Need sources of income:
• Impose taxes on the people;
• Bonds, mutual trust funds, etc
Allocate RM to the various ministries/depts;
Controls expenditure through audit;
Prepare national budget.
3.2 – Classifications of
Executive
Nominal Executive: Real
Head of state; Executive:

Performs Head of govt;

ceremonial duties; Exercises executive
Titular authority. power;
Real authority.
Parliamentary Presidential
Executive: Executive:
Office of the PM Executive power is
holds executive with the office of
power; the President;
Leader of majority Directly elected by
party in legislature. the people.
Merits of Merits of
Parliamentary Presidential
Executive: Executive:
Harmony & Free from legis
cooperation btwn control;
exec & legis; Efficient,
Ministries in touch independent & bold
with legis; political system.
Prevents despotic
govt.
Demerits of Demerits of
Parliamentary Presidential
Executive: Executive:
Uncertainty in Lack of cooperation
tenure; btwn exec & legis;
Govt policies that Risk of a
benefit the party & dictatorship.
its supporters.
Single Executive: Plural Executive:
Executive power is Executive power is
vested in one vested in a council
person; of members;
Responsibility is Each member is
undivided; roughly equal in
The executive alone status;
makes the Decision-making
decisions. based on
consultation &
consensus.
Merits of Single Merits of Plural
Executive: Executive:
Unity & integrity in Prevents
the system; dictatorship;
Decision-making is More efficient.
easy & prompt.
Demerits of Single Demerits of Plural
Executive: Executive:
Temptation & Slower decision-
opportunity to making;
abuse power; Risk of conflict &
Risk of despotism. instability.
3.3 – Comparison between
Parliamentary & Presidential
Executive
 Popular
Appointment By YDPA C.o.R elections

Tenure 5 years 5 years 4 years

Head of No Yes Yes

State

Head of Govt Yes No Yes

Head of
Political Party Yes No Yes

Commander-
in-Chief of No Yes Yes
Armed Forces

Chief Diplomat Yes No Yes

Type of Govt Parliamentary Parliamentary Presidential

COMPARISON BTWN CABINET IN M’SIA & U.S

Malaysia U.S
Minister: appointed by Secretary: nominated
YDPA upon by President & appointed
recommendation by PM. by Congress.
Collective responsibility: President does not need
PM seeks cabinet approval of the depts.
consensus.
Formulates policies. Makes speeches to
support the policies of
President.
Fusion of powers. Separation of powers.
3.4 – Definitions & Functions
of Civil Service
 Civil Service
Two distinct meanings:
Branch of governmental service in which individuals
are hired based on merit;
Body of employees in any agency except the
military.
A branch of public administration.
 Public Administration
Definitions:
Refers to the large number of officials necessary to
perform the functions of the govt.
Luther Gullick: Public Admin is related to
(p.o.s.d.c.r.b);
• Planning, organizing, staffing, delegating,
coordinating, reporting & budgeting.
 Functions of Public Admin.
Answer for its admin to the people:
Translate policy into practice;
Accountability to legislature & the people.
Drawing up policy:
Cabinet formulates policy;
Agencies/depts work out the finer details.
Quasi-judicial role:
Apply the rules & regulations of a policy;
Decide disputes.
Implement policies:
Dept directs, instructs, supervises & controls
implementation;
Policies carried out by field officers at different
levels.
2.5 – Principle of Dichotomy
in Politics - Administration
Politicians & administrators are two different
groups;
Politicians = involved in politics;
Administrators = involved in the administration
of the govt.
 Politician Administrator
 Officially elected by  Career workers
the people. appointed by the
depts/agencies.
 Make policies.  Implement policies.
 Uncertain tenure.  Permanent.