The diplomatic flap involving Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang has brought to fore a somewhat undefined term – ‘acting minister’.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz zeroed in on the term, when he said Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican breached protocol by calling in the envoy as he is not the acting minister.

According to Nazri (photo) , the power of summoning ambassadors is with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, not a deputy minister.

And if both are not in the country, an acting minister can do the job.

Nazri was later forced to say mea culpa when Anifah said he endorsed the call-in from New York.

But even so, Nazri, a minister of 16 years, noted this was never done before.

Deputy cannot be acting minister

What is the role and responsibility of an acting minister?

Two ministers told Malaysiakini that the acting minister is an ad-hoc position which does not have selection criteria.

Any minister who is travelling overseas can pick his cabinet colleague to act on his or her behalf. No approval from the prime minister is needed but notification is enough.

Nazri said only a minister can act on behalf of a travelling minister and the deputy is not qualified.

“(As I am now overseas), you can check with my office. I think my (acting) is Works Minister Fadillah Yusof (photo) ,” the senior minister said when asked on the acting minister mechanism.

Another minister, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the acting minister mechanism is a cabinet norm.

This, he added, is to empower an acting minister to decide on ministerial operations while a minister is overseas.

Relationship and familiarity is the key

He said it is common for a minister to name his cabinet colleague to be his spokesperson before seeking approval from the prime minister to go overseas.

“He can choose any minister he wants. No fixed mechanism. Usually, I will call the one I believe is more familiar with my portfolio.

“My first choice will be A. If A is not around, I will likely call B or C.

“This is based on relationship and familiarity (of the appointee minister) on the work you do,” he added.

Yesterday, Chinese envoy Huang (photo) met with Hamzah , who was previously deputy foreign minister before promoted to full minister last July.

Meanwhile, the minister told Malaysiakini that an acting minister will double up to take care his own and the appointer’s portfolios.

“For example, if there is a cabinet paper that needs to be presented, then the acting minister will have to present and answer on the minister’s behalf,” he said.

Acting minister can call the shots

Asked on whether the acting minister could decide on policy, the minister said convention states this is only done after consulting the person who appointed him or her.

“Unless he is in the North Pole (with no communication available)…I mean if it is something urgent, (the appointing) minister could be reachable by phone,” he quipped.

However, he said should the appointing minister be out of reach, the acting minister can decide on his own.

"While the deputy minister may know more about ministerial operations, he or she cannot be the acting minister.

"This is because he cannot represent his or her boss at cabinet meetings," he added.

A deputy minister’s jurisdiction, he said, is also subjected to the minister’s discretion.

Related reports

Nazri admits mistake in dealing with diplomatic flap

Leadership vacuum in Malaysia led to China's meddling

Utusan shoots itself in foot with prostitution claim

Apology should come from red shirts, not Chinese envoy

Umno, calling all Chinese 'Cina babi' not rude?

Anifah ticks off ministers for butting into Chinese envoy matter

A new tourism campaign perhaps? 'Cina babi welcome to M'sia'