CONSTITUTION OF THE
MALAYSIAN ACADEMY OF PHARMACY
(AKADEMI FARMASI MALAYSIA)

  1. TITLE / NAME
    1. The name of the Academy shall be “AKADEMI FARMASI MALAYSIA” (Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy) and is referred to hereafter as the “Academy”.
       
  2. REGISTERED PLACE OF BUSINESS
    1. Its registered place of business shall be at 5B, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur or at such other place or places as may from time to time be decided on by the Council.
    2. The registered place of business of the Academy shall not be changed without the prior approval of the Registrar of Societies.
       
  3. MOTTO

    The motto of the Academy shall be “Ilmu Teras Profesionalisme”.
     
  4. EMBLEM

    The emblem of the Academy consists a red crescent, a kris entwined with a maroon serpent to the right of the crescent. The motto in black capital letters form the right edge of the emblem. The name of the Academy in yellow capital letters is on an elongated blue rectangle which is underneath the logo.
     
  5. PATRON

    A suitable dignitary may be invited to be the patron of the Academy.
     
  6. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

    The aims and objectives of the Academy shall be:
    1. To advance the Art and Science of Pharmacy.
    2. To promote study and research into pharmacy and scientific problems.
    3. To promote and maintain the highest standards of professional practice.
    4. To maintain a high code of ethical conduct amongst its members.
    5. To represent, express and give effect to the views and opinions of its members.
    6. To protect the interest and dignity of the Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy.
    7. To offer scholarships, study awards and other grants.
    8. To support and finance educational activities, as well as enhance and improve the general health awareness, cooperation and under-standing of the public.
    9. To construct, build, acquire by purchase, hire, lease, grant, sell or mortgage any movable or immovable properties in furtherance of the Academy and to receive, borrow, invest or lend money for any of the objects of the Academy.
       
  7. MEMBERSHIP
    1. The membership would be unlimited in number and will consist of the following five categories:
      1. Ordinary Members (including Founder Members)
      2. Overseas Members
      3. Associate Members
      4. Honorary Members
      5. Life Members
    2. Ordinary Membership shall be open to Malaysian citizens who are legally qualified members of the Pharmacy profession who are resident in Malaysia:
      1. have been practising their speciality for at least five years
        or
        have a recognised postgraduate qualification in a pharmacy-related course
      2. have been testified to by three referees, two of whom must be Ordinary Members of the Academy.
      3. have published or presented papers of a standard acceptable to the Council. and
      4. is of good character and conduct
    3. Not withstanding Article 7(ii) the Council may admit to Ordinary Membership legally qualified members of the pharmacy profession of at least ten years standing, engaged in pharmacy practice provided that not more than five such members shall be admitted in any one financial year.
    4. Ordinary Membership shall be by application. Applications for membership shall be made in writing to the Registrar who will pass them on to the Council for approval. Applicants may be required to attend an interview. The Registrar will then circulate their names to all members and provided that not more than five dissenting votes are received within fourteen days of such notification the applicants shall be enrolled by the Registrar as an Ordinary Members on payment of fees due and on signing the Academy pledge.
    5. Overseas Membership shall be open to Malaysian citizens, who are resident permanently outside Malaysia subject to the same crititia as 6 (ii), at a reduced annual subscription. Overseas members shall have all the privileges of Ordinary Members during any period of visit to Malaysia provided such period does not exceed six months. Should this period exceed six months, they shall revert to Ordinary Membership. While Overseas Members remain outside Malaysia, they shall have any privileges that the Council shall at its discretion grant.
    6. Associate Membership shall be open to Malaysian in allied professions involved in pharmaceutical and medical research and who are not in the pharmacy profession who are able to further the interest of the Academy in their particular field. Enrolment of such members shall be by application and follow the general procedure for Ordinary Membership. Associate Members shall enjoy all the privileges of Ordinary Members but may not vote or hold office.
    7. The Council may admit distinguished members of the pharmacy profession, scientists or other persons as Honorary Members of the Academy and make provisions for their admission in such a manner as it shall from time to time think fit.
    8. Life Members are admitted to the Academy who donate RM 5,000.00 to the Academy in one payment or by instalments of RM100.00 monthly over a period not exceeding forty months. Life Members are exempted from payment of annual subscriptions. They enjoy the same priveliges as Ordinary Members.
    9. Founder Members are those members who were present at the inaugural meeting of the Academy on 30-11-2000.
    10. Every person admitted to Ordinary, Overseas or Associate and Life
      Membership of the Academy shall
      1. Sign the following Pledge which shall be binding upon him.

        "I hereby pledge myself as a condition of membership of the Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy that I will practise my profession and conduct my life in strict accordance with the Constitution of the Academy.

        I declare that I have read and agree to be bound by the Constitution and Regulations of the Academy now in force, and also to be bound by any amendments to the Constitution or any other regulations adopted from time to time by the Academy or its Council or duly delegated authority.

        I declare that I will submit to any penalties including expulsion from the Academy or its Council for violation of any of the Articles of the Constitution or Regulations or of this pledge."
      2. Signify agreement in writing that all communications made by the Academy or its Council or any of its officers and all answers to any questionnaire made by any member of the Academy shall be absolutely privileged and shall for all purposes be deemed a privileged communication.
    11. Members are entitled to use the letters A.Ph. (Malaysia) after their names and honorary members the letters Hon. A.Ph. (Malaysia).
       
  8. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
    1. Any member acting contrary to the good name and dignity of the Academy or inconsistent with its purposes may be expelled by the unanimous vote of the Council at a meeting specially called to consider and deal with the matter of the conduct of such a member.
    2. Notice of such meeting and statement of the charges against him shall be given to the member, whose conduct is to be con-sidered, and he shall be entitled to attend and show cause why he should not be expelled, or to submit an explanation of his conduct in writing, which is being considered, and reading any written statement submitted by him, or if the member shall not attend such meeting or send any written explanation of his conduct, then after considering the other materials before the Council referring to the conduct of the member charged, the Council shall finally determine the question of expulsion of such member by resolution.
    3. Any Ordinary Member who fails to pay his subscription for twenty four months shall be liable to have his name removed from the membership register.
       
  9. MEMBERSHIP FEE
    1. Ordinary Members shall pay an entrance fee of RM300/ .
    2. Associate Members shall pay an entrance fee of RM200/ .
    3. All members shall pay an annual subscription of RM100/ .
    4. All annual subscriptions shall be payable on the first day of each financial year.
    5. Honorary Members need not pay any entrance fee or annual subscription and shall be entitled to all the privileges of an Ordinary Member except to vote at any general meeting and to hold office as a Council Member.
    6. Exemptions or reductions of the annual subscriptions may be made by the Council on application by members who have retired from active practice or for reasons of hardship.
    7. The Council may by a resolution passed at a General meeting alter the entrance fees or the annual subscription payable by all or any class of members subject to the approval of Registrar of Societies.
       
  10. FINANCE

    Financial Provisions
     
    1. Subject to the following provisions in this rules, the funds of the Academy may be expended for any purpose necessary for the carrying out of its objects, including the expenses of its administration, the payment of salaries, allowance and expenses to its office-bearers and paid staff, and the audit of its accounts, but they shall on no account be used to pay the fine of any member who may be convicted in a court of law.
    2. The Bursar may hold a petty cash advance not exceeding Ringgit Malaysia Five Hundred at any one time. All money in excess of this sum shall within seven days of receipt be deposited in a bank approved by the Council. The bank account shall be in the name of the Academy.
    3. All cheques or withdrawal notices on the Academy’s account shall be
      signed jointly by the Principal (or in his absence the Vice-Principal), the Registrar and the Bursar. In the absence of the Registrar or the Bursar the Committee shall appoint one of its members to sign in his place.
    4. No expenditure exceeding Ringgit Malaysia Two Thousand at any one time shall be incurred without the prior sanction of the Council, and no expenditure exceeding Ringgit Malaysia Ten Thousand in any one month shall be incurred without the prior sanction of a general meeting. Expenditure less than Ringgit Malaysia Two Thousand may be incurred by the Principal together with the Registrar or the Bursar.
    5. As soon as possible after the end of each financial year i.e. 31st of December, a statement of receipts and payments and a balance sheet for the year shall be prepared and audited by the Auditors appointed under rule 12(3)(c). The audited accounts shall be submitted for the approval of the next annual general meeting, and copies shall be made available at the registered place of business of the Academy for the prusal of members.
       
  11. COUNCIL AND OFFICE BEARERS
    1. The Academy shall have a Council which shall consist of ten members holding the following offices elected at the annual general meeting:
      1. A Principal
      2. An Assistant Principal
      3. A Registrar
      4. A Bursar
      5. Six Ordinary Council Members
    2. All the Council Members and every officer performing executive functions in the Academy must be Malaysian citizens.
    3. The members of the Council shall hold office for a period of two years and retiring members shall remain in office until their successors have been appointed.
    4. At each Annual General Meeting, five members of the Council
      shall retire.
    5. The function of the Council is to organise and supervise the day to day activities of the Academy and to make decisions on matters affecting its running within the general policy laid down by the general meeting. The Council may not act contrary to the expressed wishes of the General Meeting without prior reference to it and shall always remain subordinate to the General Meeting. It shall furnish a report to each Annual General Meeting on its activities during the previous year.
    6. The Council shall meet at least once every three months and seven days' notice of each meeting shall be given to the members. The Principal acting alone, or not less than three of the members acting together, may call for a meeting of the Council to be held at any time.
    7. At each Annual General Meeting, members shall elect the Principal from amongst those elected to the Council. The Principal shall hold office for a period of one year but shall be eligible for re election.
    8. The incoming Council shall appoint at its first meeting each year, the remaining office bearers from amongst those elected to Council and such office bearers shall hold office for a period of one year, but shall be eligible for re appointment.
    9. Any member of the Council who should fail to attend three consecutive meetings of the Council shall automatically cease to be a member of the Council unless the failure to attend is due to physical disability or to absence from Malaysia at the time of the meetings. Any member disqualified from serving on the Council under this clause shall only become eligible to serve again if elected at the next Annual General Meeting.
    10. The Council shall have the power to appoint not more than two members of the Academy to serve in the Council. Such appointed members shall serve for one year until the next Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re appointment.
    11. The Registrar shall invite nominations to fill vacancies in the Council at least sixty days before the Annual General Meeting.
    12. The nominations shall be signed by two ordinary members and contain a consent to act, if elected, signed by the person nominated and shall be left.with or forwarded by post to the Registrar so as to reach him at least forty two days before the Annual General Meeting to enable him to conduct a postal ballot.
    13. If the number of nominations for the vacancies in the Council do not exceed the number of vacancies, the persons so nominated shall be duly elected at the Annual General Meet-ing. If the number of nominations exceeds the vacancies, balloting lists shall be prepared containing in alphabetical order the name of the candidates nominated. This list shall be forwarded twenty one days before the Annual General Meeting to each member who shall be entitied to vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled and no more. Voting shall be by secret postal ballot and the ballot paper shall be enclosed in two envelopes, only the outer one of which shall record the name of the member voting and the inner envelope shall only be opened at the Annual General Meeting.
    14. Any casual vacancy occuring in the Council through the death or resignation of a member or any other cause, shall be filled by the Council but any person so chosen shall retain his office so long only as the vacating member would have retained the same if no vacancy had occured.
    15. The Council may appoint any member of the Academy to be a substitute member of the Council during the temporary absense from Malaysia of any member of the Council and such substitute member shall ipso facto vacate office if and when the member whose substitute he is, returns to Malaysia or vacates office.
    16. Subject to the directives of the general body, the Council shall exercise management and direction of the business affairs of the Academy and shall be responsible for carrying out its policy. It shall at all times endeavour to uphold the good name of the Academy and may exercise such other powers or discharge such duties as may from time to time be delegated to it by the general body.
    17. The Council shall be empowered to appoint such Committees as it considers may from time to time be needed to carry out the objects of the Academy. The Council shall determine their terms of reference.
    18. At all meeting of the Council the Principal (or in the absence of the Principal, the Assistant Principal) shall be the Chairman and shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to his own.
    19. In the unavoidable absence of the Principal and the Assistant Principal the Council shall appoint an Acting Chairman who shall also be entitled to a casting vote.
    20. In case of leave of absence of the Principal (be it for reasons of professional duties, vacation or illness) for a period exceeding fourteen (14) days, the Assistant Principal shall automatically act as Principal and continue the functions, responsibilities and activities of the Council of the Academy.
    21. The quorum at meetings of the Council shall be five.
    22. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Council.
    23. The Council shall employ Executive Secretaries and such staff as may be required to assist the Council in the running of the Academy.
    24. The Council may from time to time sponsor congresses, confer¬ences and seminars in the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Academy.
       
  12. MEETINGS

    General Meeting
     
    1. The supreme authority of the Academy is vested in a general meeting of the members. At least one-half of the total voting membership of the Academy or the voting members present represent twice the total number of Council members must be present at a general meeting for its proceedings to be valid and to constitute a quorum.
    2. If half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be postponed to a date not earlier than fourteen (14) days and not later than 28 days from that day. At the postponed date if a quorum is not present half an hour after the appointed time, the members present shall have power to proceed with the business of the day but they shall not have power to alter the rules of the Academy or to make decisions affecting the whole membership
    3. An annual general meeting of the Academy shall be held as soon as possible after the close of each financial year on a date and at a time and place to be decided by the Council. The business of the Annual General Meeting shall
      be : -
      1. To receive the minutes of the previous annual general meeting and the Council’s report on the working of the Academy during the previous year;
      2. To receive the Bursar’s report and the audited accounts of the Academy for the previous year;
      3. To elect a Council and to appoint auditors for the ensuing year;
      4. To deal with such other matters as may be put before it.
    4. The Registrar shall send to all members at least twenty-one (21) days before the meeting an agenda including copies of minutes and reports, together with the audited accounts of the Academy for the previous year. Copies of these documents will also be made available at the registered place of business of the Academy for the perusal of members.
    5. An extraordinary general meeting of the Academy shall be convened: -
      1. Whenever the Council deems it desirable; or
      2. At the joint request in writing of not less than twenty members, stating the objects and reasons for such meeting.
    6. An extraordinary general meeting requisitioned by members shall be convened for a date within thirty days of the receipt of such requisition.
    7. Notice and agenda for an extraordinary general meeting shall be forwarded by
      the Registrar to all members at least fifteen days before the date fixed for the meeting.
    8. Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this rules regarding the postponement of an annual
      general meeting shall apply also to an extraordinary general meeting, but with the proviso that if no quorum is present after half an hour from the time appointed for a postponed extraordinary general meeting requisitioned by members the meeting shall be cancelled, and no extraordinary general meeting shall be requisitioned for the same purpose until after the lapse of at least six months from the date thereof.
    9. The Registrar shall forward to all members a copy of the draft minutes of
      each annual and extraordinary general meeting as soon as possible after its conclusions.
    10. The Registrar shall keep a membership register containing details of all members.
       
  13. AMENDMENTS

    Amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed and seconded by two Ordinary Members and shall be presented to the Council at least forty two (42) days before the next Annual General Meeting. The Council shall then circulate the full text of the proposed amendments to members twenty¬one days before the Annual General Meeting. For such amendments to become effective, they must be passed by a majority of two thirds of the voting members present at the Annual General Meeting, provided that no amendments to this Constitution shall become effective without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies. Any amendments shall be forwarded to the Registrar of Societies within 60 days after being passed by the general meeting.
     
  14. DISSOLUTION
    1. The Academy shall not be dissolved except with the consent of not less than three fifths of its total Ordinary Members expressed either in person at a General Meeting or by postal vote.
    2. (ii) Any proposal for dissolution shall be made by the Council and the Registrar shall give three months notice of such proposal.
    3. (iii) In the event of the Academy being dissolved as provided for above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Academy shall be discharged and the remaining funds and properties shall be disposed of to such institutes of pharmaceutical learning in Malaysia as the Council thinks fit.

      (iv) The notice of dissolution shall be forwarded to the Registrar of Societies within 14 days of such decision.

 

Dr. Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed,  Principal, Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy.

Mr. Lam Kai Kun, Registrar, Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy