In Malaysian political and constitutional terminology, a caretaker government is a government of Malaysia during a period that starts when the parliament is dissolved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong prior to a general election, and continues for a period after the election, until the next cabinet is appointed. A caretaker government is expected to conduct itself in accordance with a series of well-defined conventions that are administered by the Prime Minister's Department, although there is no law compelling the caretaker government to do so. Caretaker conventions Malaysian constitutional practice calls for a government to continue in office even after parliament has been dissolved, during the election period and then into the next parliament only until the next government can be formed. The prime minister can, however, resign office and advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at any time to appoint a new federal government. The operation of the Malaysian political system ensures that a Cabinet is always maintained and that caretaker governments abide by the conventions. A caretaker government operates until the election result clearly indicates that either the incumbent party or coalition has retained power, or in the case where there is to be a change of government, until the new government is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. These conventions are not legally binding, and do not constitute "hard and fast rules." In practice, any flouting of the conventions by a caretaker government would immediately come to light, and could go against them in the election campaign. Caretaker government conduct The Caretaker provisions explicitly recognise that, after the dissolution of parliament, the business of government must continue and that "ordinary matters of administration" must be addressed. Hence the provisions allow for the normal operations of all government departments. However, the caretaker conventions impose some restrictions on the conduct of the caretaker government. The conventions broadly include the following: Major policy decisions. The Government will cease taking major policy decisions except on urgent matters and then only after formal consultation with the Opposition. The conventions apply to the making of decisions, not to their announcement. Accordingly, the conventions are not infringed where decisions made before dissolution are announced during the caretaker period. However, where possible, decisions would normally be announced ahead of dissolution. Significant appointments. The Government will cease making major appointments of public officials, but may make acting or short-term appointments. Major contracts or undertakings. The Government will avoid