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The launch of the Fifth Phase of the MyConstitution Campaign on The Role and Function of the Executive was held on Friday at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon was on hand to officiatie the launch.

MyConstitution has a considerable presence online which targets youths, where it has 7,000 fans and can be accessed through the social media via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, www.perlembagaanku.com and www.malaysianbar.org.my/constitutional_law_ committee.

The launch was initiated with a speech made by Edmund Bon, Chairperson of Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC), followed by presentations made by Syahredzan Johan, Co-Deputy Chaiperson of ConstiLC who screened the Rakyat Service advertisements.

Tan Sri Dr. Koh who gave the officiating speech said that the constitution laws should be easily understood since it is important and affects the everyday life of the people, their rights and responsibilities. Being better informed citizens, they are able to contribute to the process of democracy of the country.

He added all three Constitutional Institutions, Legislature, Executive and Judiciary are important, interrelated but yet separated although not clear-cut where there exist a certain amount of independence, but there are also checks and balances.

In his views, it is important for all institutions to gain better understanding of the constitution and in the final analysis the KohTsuKoon140710rakyat's views are given priority.

The Minister said that the Executive wields tremendous power. Its power derived from laws passed by Parliament and the state legislative assemblies at state level.

He said the government elected by the people should be respected and given the chance to govern.

"Once the decision has been made by people via general election, it is the responsibility of the Executive to interpret the mandate of the people to carry out policies, programmes and processes in the interest of people, checked and balanced by Parliament. Parliament offers opportunities for members to criticise and demand answers to questions even in the minutest matters."

He said the Executive not only comprise administrative members of the cabinet, but the whole civil service which has to be efficient, professional and committed, hence the emphasis on Gagasan 1Malaysia with the dual pre-commitment of people first, performance now. It serves as a reminder to both political and civil service that the people come first.

"After 50 years of independence, there is a tendency to say we know all. The day the government knows all is gone. The government cannot behave as if it knows all. We have to consistently get feedback from the people."

He said government transformation and change is important, the more the government is open to ideas, the more likely correct decisions are made and carrying out change through the Executive.

In his opinion, the Executive cannot function without the support of the civil servants, nor the feedback from the general public. "We are setting up the Bureau of Public Complaints as part of government transformation process. All in all, we have to fully understand the Constitution. Since childhood we recite the Rukun Negara, the Supremacy of Constitution (Keluhuran Perlembagaan) and Rule of Law (Kedaulatan Undang-undang). We must understand the Constitution and how the government functions."