Parliament of Malaysia
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| Parliament of Malaysia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Parliament of Malaysia |
| Native name | Parlimen Malaysia |
| Legislature | 15th Parliament of Malaysia |
| House type | Bicameral |
| Houses | Dewan Negara (Senate), Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) |
| Foundation | 11 September 1959 |
| Leader1 type | Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Leader1 | Sultan Ibrahim |
| Leader2 type | President of the Senate |
| Leader2 | Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar |
| Leader3 type | Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat |
| Leader3 | Johari Abdul |
| Election3 | 19 December 2022 |
| Members | 282, 70 Senators, 222 Members of Parliament |
| House1 | Dewan Negara |
| House2 | Dewan Rakyat |
| Political groups1 | (As of 19 December 2022), Government (50), BN (17), PH (15), GPS (6), GRS (6), WARISAN (1), PBM (1), KDM (1), Ind. (3), Opposition (3), PN (3), Vacant (17) |
| Political groups2 | (As of 19 December 2022), Government (148), PH (81), BN (30), GPS (23), GRS (6), WARISAN (1), KDM (1), PBM (1), Ind. (5), Opposition (74), PN (74) |
| Voting system1 | Indirect election and appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
| Voting system2 | First-past-the-post |
| Last election2 | 19 November 2022 |
| Meeting place | Malaysian Parliament Building, Kuala Lumpur |
| Website | www.parlimen.gov.my |
Parliament of Malaysia. The Parliament of Malaysia is the national, bicameral legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. It convenes in the Malaysian Parliament Building in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The institution consists of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the ceremonial head of state and two deliberative assemblies: the upper house Dewan Negara (Senate) and the lower house Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives).
History
The parliamentary system has its origins in the Federation of Malaya gaining independence from the British Empire in 1957, with the first Parliament convened under the Constitution of Malaysia. The formation of Malaysia in 1963, which incorporated Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore, expanded its representation, though Singapore left the federation in 1965. Key historical moments include the 1969 general election and the subsequent 13 May incident, which led to a period of emergency rule and the suspension of Parliament. The 1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis, involving the dismissal of Lord President Salleh Abas, significantly impacted the separation of powers. The 2018 Malaysian general election marked a historic shift when the Barisan Nasional coalition, led by UMNO, lost its majority for the first time since independence.
Composition and structure
The bicameral Parliament is composed of the Dewan Negara and the Dewan Rakyat. The Dewan Negara, or Senate, has 70 members; 26 are elected by the State Legislative Assemblies (two from each of the 13 states), while 44 are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister, including four representatives from the Federal Territories. The Dewan Rakyat, or House of Representatives, consists of 222 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs) elected from single-member constituencies via the first-past-the-post system. The presiding officers are the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.
Functions and powers
The primary function is to enact, amend, and repeal federal laws, as outlined in the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule. It holds the exclusive power to authorize government expenditure and impose taxes through the annual Supply Bill. The Dewan Rakyat has ultimate financial authority and is the sole chamber that can initiate money bills. Parliament also serves as the forum for debating national policy, scrutinizing the executive branch, and approving declarations of emergency under Article 150 of the Constitution. It has the power to impeach judges of the Federal Court and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Legislative process
Most legislation originates from the Cabinet as government bills, though private members' bills are also permitted. A bill must pass through three readings in the Dewan Rakyat, where it is debated and subject to committee scrutiny, before being sent to the Dewan Negara. The Senate may delay a bill for up to one year but cannot veto money bills. After both houses assent, the bill is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for Royal Assent, after which it is gazetted in the Government Gazette and becomes law. Certain bills, such as those amending the Constitution or affecting Malay and Bumiputera privileges, require a special two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Relationship with the government
The Federal Government is drawn from and accountable to the Dewan Rakyat, following the Westminster convention of responsible government. The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition commanding a majority in the lower house, as seen with leaders like Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, and Muhyiddin Yassin. The government must maintain the confidence of the House; a loss of confidence, as nearly occurred during the 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis, can force its resignation or trigger a snap election. Ministers, including those from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs, are required to answer questions during Question Time.
Current composition and recent elections
Following the 2022 Malaysian general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, a coalition government was formed under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan alliance, in partnership with Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and others. The current Dewan Rakyat composition reflects this unity government, holding 148 seats against the opposition bloc led by Perikatan Nasional and its major component, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). The Dewan Negara remains a mixture of appointed and indirectly elected members, with the government holding a significant majority. The next general election is constitutionally due by 2027.
Category:National legislatures Category:Bicameral legislatures