Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia (Malay: Persekutuan Malaysia) or simply Malaysia (Simplified Chinese: ????; Pinyin: M?láix?y?, Tamil: ???????) is a country in Southeast Asia. It consists of two geographical regions divided by the South China Sea:

Politics

The Federation of Malaysia is a constitutional elective monarchy. It is nominally headed by the Paramount Ruler or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the king. Kings are selected for five-year terms from among the nine Sultans of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection.

Related Topics:
Federation - Constitutional - Elective - Yang di-Pertuan Agong - Sultan - Malay states

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The system of government in Malaysia is closely modelled on that of Westminster, a legacy of British colonial rule. In practice however, more power is vested in the executive branch of government than in the legislative. The general election must be held at least once every five years. The last general election was in March 2004 and the previous one was in 1999. The ruling coalition is Barisan Nasional.

Related Topics:
Westminster - British colonial rule - General election - Barisan Nasional

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Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister (Perdana Menteri); the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of parliament and is responsible to that body.

Related Topics:
Executive power - Cabinet - Prime minister - Constitution - Parliament

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The bicameral parliament consists of the upper house (Dewan Negara, literally "National Hall") and the lower house (Dewan Rakyat, literally "People's Hall"). All 69 Senators sit for 6-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, and 43 are appointed by the king. The 219 members of the House of Representatives are elected from single-member districts by universal adult suffrage, for a maximum term of 5 years. Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures.

Related Topics:
Parliament - Upper house - Lower house - Legislative power

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The state governments are led by chief ministers (Menteri Besar) selected by the state assemblies (Dewan Undangan Negeri) advising their respective sultans or governors.

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See also: Courts of Malaysia

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• List of Malaysian political parties