entering major contracts or undertakings during the caretaker period. If it is not possible to defer the commitment until after the caretaker period, for legal, commercial or other reasons, a minister could consult the Opposition, or agencies could deal with the contractor and ensure that contracts include clauses providing for termination in the event of an incoming government not wishing to proceed. Similar provisions cover tendering. International negotiations and visits. The Government ordinarily seeks to defer such major international negotiations, or adopts observer status, until the end of the caretaker period. Avoiding PSC involvement in election activities. The Public Services Commission of Malaysia adopts a neutral stance while continuing to advise the Government. There are several cases, notably the pricing of Opposition election promises, in which the PSC conducts an investigation and report for the benefit of the electorate at large. Change of government When an opposition party or coalition wins enough seats at a general election to be able to command a majority in the Dewan Rakyat, the convention is for the incumbent prime minister (still in caretaker mode) to formally advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that he or she is no longer able to govern, and that the Leader of the Opposition should be invited to form a government. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong then requests the incumbent prime minister and other ministers to remain in office on a caretaker basis until a new government is sworn in. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong then contacts the Leader of the Opposition and invites them to form a government. The Leader of the Opposition accepts the invitation, and undertakes to inform the Yang di-Pertuan Agong when the new Cabinet is in a position to be sworn in. This can be delayed by the counting of votes in closely contested seats, or by the processes by which ministers are chosen under the relevant party's rules. In the meantime, the caretaker government continues in office. Caretaker government at state level The same condition of caretaker government also apply to the thirteen states of Malaysia. A caretaker government at state level is a state government during a period that starts when the state assembly is dissolved by the sultan / raja / governor prior to a state election, and continues for a period after the election, until the next executive council (known as cabinet in Sabah and Sarawak) is appointed. A caretaker government at state