Malaysia Parliament

Introduction Parliament House was established in 1962 It comprises 3 storey main building – for the senate and house of representatives and; 18 storey tower – for the offices of ministers and members of Parliament Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia

Malaysia practices Parliament Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy 1 of the conditions of Parliament Democracy is the division of the administrative power into 3 parts for the checks and balances: Legislative Administrative or executive Judiciary

The Structure of The Malaysia Parliament Divided into 3 component: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Senate House of Representatives

Composition House of Representative (DEWAN RAKYAT) Consists of 222 MPs They are elected from single-member constituencies in a general election General election is held every 5years, OR Dissolved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the PM When a MPs dies, resign or become disqualified- a by-election is held in his constituency (unless the tenure for the current Parliament is < 2 year)

Dewan Rakyat

B. Senate (DEWAN NEGARA) Consists of 70 members (senators) 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies 4 appointed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong to represent the 3 federal territories The rest 40 are appointed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advise of PM Senators are appointed for 3year terms with maximum of 2 terms

Dewan Negara

Function As Parliament is the ultimate legislative body It passes federal laws Makes amendments to existing federal laws Examines government’s policies Approves the government’s expenditures and new taxes It also serves as the forum for critism – focus on public opinion on national affairs

Procedure Parliament meets from Monday to Thursday when it is in sessions Customarily, a Bill is originates in the House of Representatives; where A particular government minister will prepare draft with the assistance of AG Department And, it will be discussed by the Cabinet If it is agreed, it will be submitted to Parliament and distributed to all MPs

It then goes through 3 readings before the House of Representative: 1st reading- the minister/deputy submits it to Parliament 2nd reading- the Bill is discussed and debated by MPs 3rd reading- the minister/deputy formally submit it to a vote for approval For approval- 2/3rd majority is required (certain cases- a simple majority is suffices)

Once approved, it is tabled in the Senate for another debate Where the 3 readings are carried out again The Senate may choose not to pass the Bill If it passes- it will be presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Who has 30days to consider If he disagree- it will be returns to the Parliament with a list of suggested amendments

Parliament must then reconsider the Bill and its proposed amendments and return to the king within 30days The king will have another 30days to consider and give his royal assent Otherwise, it passes into law Finally, the Bill will take effect as law once it has been gazetted in the form of “Government Gazette”

Parliament Privileges MPs are permitted to speak on any subject without fear of censure outside Parliament The only body who can censure an MP is House Committee of Privileges Parliamentary immunity takes effect from the moment a MP is sworn in This immunity does not apply to statements made outside the house by any MPs

Current composition Current seat holding in Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat as of 15 June 2009 National Front(Barisan Nasional) : 137 United Malays National Organization(UMNO):78 Malaysian Chinese Association(MCA) : 15 Malaysian Indian Congress(MIC) : 3

Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Gerakan): 2 United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, PBB): 14 Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak, SUPP): 6 Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak, SPDP): 4 Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak, PRS): 6

United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation(Pertubuhan Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Bersatu, UPKO) : 4 United Sabah Party(Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS) : 3 United Sabah People's Party(Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, PBRS) : 1 Liberal Democratic Party(Parti Liberal Demokratik, LDP) :1 People's Progressive Party(Parti Progresif Penduduk Malaysia, PPP) : 0

People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat, PKR) : 30 Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam SeMalaysia, PAS) : 23 Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik, DAP) : 28