Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia

Special Envoy of the
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Duta Khas Perdana Menteri Malaysia
StyleYang Berhormat
(The Honourable)
unless otherwise specified
Reports toParliament
NominatorPrime Minister
AppointerYang di-Pertuan Agong
Term lengthTwo years[1][2]
Formation1 January 2011
First holderSamy Vellu
SalaryRM27,227.20 per month[3]

The special envoys of the prime minister of Malaysia (Malay: Duta Khas Perdana Menteri Malaysia) are individuals, usually politicians, appointed with specific assignments to enhance the relationship between Malaysia with particular states or regions where Malaysia has considerable economic interests and cultural similarities.[4] In contrast to that of ambassadorial appointments, Malaysian special envoys are not appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) as head of state, but rather are direct appointees of the head of government, the prime minister of Malaysia.[5] They are often appointed with the rank equivalent to a minister.[6]

Special envoys are often accorded a team consisting of between four and eight personnel, usually including a senior private secretary, special officer, two special assistants and some with a police escort.[4][7][8]

Although most special envoys have been appointed with ministerial rank, the salaries drawn have varied depending on portfolio. Known individuals who have served in this capacity without drawing any salary include Ong Ka Ting and Tiong King Sing during Tiong's first posting to East Asia.[7][8] Nevertheless, Ong was listed as receiving a monthly salary of RM20,000 during his earlier terms as special envoy.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ong was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ 陈, 城周 (4 March 2020). "陈国伟：准备接"大信封"·"不主动辞对华特使"" (in Chinese). Sin Chew Daily. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  3. ^ Anand, Ram (18 November 2015). "Why is Putrajaya paying special advisers higher than PM, asks DAP". The Edge (Malaysia). Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Ministerial status opens doors for special envoys, says Nazri". The Edge (Malaysia). 27 September 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference VK Liew was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference PH was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Liew, Chin Tong (25 November 2015). "Penasihat-penasihat kepada Perdana Menteri adalah "menteri pintu belakang" yang tidak diperlukan" (in Malay). Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b Gomez, Jennifer (25 November 2015). "PM's advisers akin to back-door ministers with high pay, says DAP". The Edge (Malaysia). Retrieved 15 May 2020.