Malaysia Parliament Introduction Parliament House was established in
Malaysia Parliament
Introduction Ø Parliament House was established in 1962 Ø It comprises 3 storey main building – for the senate and house of representatives and; Ø 18 storey tower – for the offices of ministers and members of Parliament Ø Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia
Ø Malaysia practices Parliament Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy Ø 1 of the conditions of Parliament Democracy is the division of the administrative power into 3 parts for the checks and balances: i. Legislative ii. Administrative or executive iii. Judiciary
The Structure of The Malaysia Parliament Ø Divided into 3 component: i. Yang di-Pertuan Agong ii. Senate iii. House of Representatives
Composition A. 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 5 years, 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 3 year terms with maximum of 2 terms
Dewan Negara
Function Ø 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 Ø Parliament meets from Monday to Thursday when it is in sessions Ø 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: a) 1 st reading- the minister/deputy submits it to Parliament b) 2 nd reading- the Bill is discussed and debated by MPs c) 3 rd reading- the minister/deputy formally submit it to a vote for approval • For approval- 2/3 rd majority is required (certain cases- a simple majority is suffices)
Ø Once approved, it is tabled in the Senate for another debate • Where the 3 readings are carried out again Ø The Senate may choose not to pass the Bill Ø If it passes- it will be presented to Yang di. Pertuan Agong • Who has 30 days to consider • If he disagree- it will be returns to the Parliament with a list of suggested amendments
Ø Parliament must then reconsider the Bill and its proposed amendments and return to the king within 30 days Ø The king will have another 30 days to consider and give his royal assent Ø Otherwise, it passes into law Ø Finally, the Bill will take effect as law once it has been gazetted in the form of “Government Gazette”
Parliament Privileges Ø MPs are permitted to speak on any subject without fear of censure outside Parliament Ø The only body who can censure an MP is House Committee of Privileges Ø Parliamentary immunity takes effect from the moment a MP is sworn in Ø This immunity does not apply to statements made outside the house by any MPs
Current composition ØCurrent 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 Se. Malaysia, PAS) : 23 • Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik, DAP) : 28
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