Although Malaysia has always had a Deputy Prime Minister since independence, a Prime Minister may choose not to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister. The office of Deputy Prime Minister is not provided for in the Constitution of Malaysia. At the same time, a Prime Minister could appoint more than one Deputy Prime Minister, as has occurred before in Singapore. By the practice of the past ruling coalition Barisan Nasional, where the United Malays National Organisation was the unofficial leader, the UMNO Deputy President was usually appointed the Deputy Prime Minister by the Prime Minister. In the organisational structure of Barisan Nasional, the President and Deputy President of UMNO were automatically made the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Barisan Nasional. From 21 May 2018 until 24 February 2020,the ruling coalition - Pakatan Harapan, a coalition of four equal partner parties, the holder of the position of Deputy Prime Minister was decided upon by the coalition's Presidential Council. The postholder was Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail, who was the first female holder of post.
Deaths, resignations and removals from office
Of the twelve previous officeholders, five have gone on to become prime minister. Of the remaining, one died in office, three resigned, two were removed from office by the sitting prime minister, and one disqualified from office due to lost in 14th General Election. Ismail Abdul Rahman died in office due to massive heart attack in 1973. Musa Hitam resigned from second Mahathir cabinet over differences with Prime Minister over government policy in 1986. Ghafar Baba resigned from his portfolio following UMNO grassroots lost confidence in his leadership and his position as Deputy President of UMNO was challenged by Anwar Ibrahim in the UMNO's top leadership election. Anwar Ibrahim was the first deputy prime minister to be sacked after being accused and subsequently charged with corruption and sodomy in 1998. Muhyiddin Yassin was the second DPM to be removed from office after being dropped from the Cabinet by Prime Minister Najib Razak in a reshuffle in 2015. He later was sacked from his party. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail resigned after the seventh Mahathir cabinet was dissolved in 2020.
No Members of Parliament have been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister in the current cabinet under Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Instead, he has appointed four senior ministers. They are responsible for helping the Prime Minister coordinate cabinet affairs on economics, security, infrastructure development & education and society. Senior ministers will also assist the Prime Minister in carrying out his duties as Prime Minister including chairing Cabinet meetings during his absence. Thus, with the presence of these senior ministers, there is currently no need for a Deputy Prime Minister to be appointed. Colour key :
