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| Kelantan State Legislative Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kelantan State Legislative Assembly |
| Native name | Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan |
| Legislature | 15th Kelantan State Legislative Assembly |
| House type | Unicameral |
| Foundation | 1959 |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Leader1 | Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim |
| Party1 | Perikatan Nasional |
| Election1 | 2023 |
| Leader2 type | Menteri Besar |
| Leader2 | Ahmad Yakob |
| Party2 | PAS |
| Election2 | 2013 |
| Members | 45 |
| Voting system1 | First-past-the-post |
| Last election1 | 9 May 2018 |
| Next election1 | 2023 |
| Meeting place | Kota Bharu, Kelantan |
Kelantan State Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Malaysian state of Kelantan, seated at the state capital of Kota Bharu. It convenes representatives from across Kelantan's administrative districts such as Tanah Merah, Pasir Mas, and Gua Musang to legislate on matters within the ambit of the Constitution of Malaysia and the Kelantan State Executive Council's portfolio. The Assembly operates within the framework established following the post-Federation of Malaya constitutional arrangements and the reconfiguration of state legislatures after Malaysian independence.
The Assembly traces origins to pre-independence Malay administrative councils in Kelantan Sultanate and reforms during the British Malaya period culminating in the post-Emergency (Malayan) constitutional restructuring. After the enactment of the Federal Constitution of Malaya, the Assembly's modern incarnation was established alongside other state legislatures such as Perak State Legislative Assembly and Pahang State Legislative Assembly. Its historical timeline includes political shifts influenced by events like the rise of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), contests with Barisan Nasional, and episodes linked to national crises such as the 1969 Malaysian general election aftermath. The Assembly's powers have been interpreted in light of precedents from the Federal Court of Malaysia and disputes adjudicated by the Court of Appeal of Malaysia and High Court of Malaya.
The Assembly comprises 45 members representing single-member constituencies such as Bukit Panau, Kota Lama, and Pantai Sabak, elected under the first-past-the-post system. Members include representatives of parties like Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU), and coalition formations such as Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional. Membership qualifications and disqualifications reference provisions comparable to those in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and are subject to electoral rules overseen by the Election Commission of Malaysia. Vacancies are filled through by-elections, as seen in high-profile contests in constituencies such as Chempaka and Kota Bharu.
The Assembly legislates on matters listed in the State List of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, including issues affecting land tenure in Kelantan, Islamic affairs administered with reference to institutions like the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Kelantan, and elements of local governance in Municipal Council of Kota Bharu. It scrutinizes the Kelantan State Executive Council and holds ministers to account through question time and motions, echoing procedures used in bodies like the Dewan Rakyat and other state assemblies such as the Selangor State Legislative Assembly. The Assembly also approves state budgets, charges state taxes where permitted, and exercises rights connected to privileges and immunities akin to those upheld by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.
Elections for the Assembly occur concurrently with Malaysian general elections unless dissolved earlier by the Sultan of Kelantan on the advice of the Menteri Besar of Kelantan. Constituency delimitation follows determinations made by the Election Commission of Malaysia, with historical redistributions affecting seats like Paka and Machang. The first-past-the-post method produces single-member winners, and electoral contests often involve coalitions such as Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and Barisan Nasional. Campaign regulations interact with statutory frameworks including those enforced during national polls like the 2018 Malaysian general election.
Presiding officers include the Speaker (legislative) and deputy speakers who manage proceedings and enforce standing orders modeled on parliamentary practice used in the Parliament of Malaysia. The Menteri Besar leads the executive drawn from Assembly members, working with the Kelantan State Executive Council whose portfolios mirror those in other states like Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Committees—such as public accounts panels, privileges committees, and select committees—operate similarly to panels in the Dewan Negara and other assemblies, conducting inquiries into administrative matters, budgetary oversight, and statutory compliance with agencies like the Local Government Department.
The Assembly meets at the designated legislative complex in Kota Bharu near landmarks such as the Sultan Ismail Petra Arch and the Istana Negeri Kelantan. Facilities include the main chamber, committee rooms, and offices for members and staff, alongside amenities comparable to those in state capitals like Ipoh and Alor Setar. Security and protocol coordinate with state institutions including the Royal Malaysia Police and ceremonial custodians tied to the Kelantan Sultanate.
Kelantan's political landscape has been dominated by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) for extended periods, challenged historically by coalitions such as Barisan Nasional led by United Malays National Organisation and more recently by alliances including Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. Electoral contests reflect regional issues resonant in constituencies like Tanah Merah and Pasir Puteh, and personalities linked to national actors such as Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir Mohamad, and Abdul Hadi Awang have influenced state-level alignments. Political dynamics also engage institutions like the Sultan of Kelantan in ceremonial and constitutional roles, and broader interactions with federal authorities in Putrajaya shape intergovernmental relations.