Introduction: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary Flashcards
Primary function of legislature
To legislate, amend or repeal laws
Legislative authorities
Federal level - by the Parliament of Malaysia
State level - by the State Legislative Assembly
Parliament consists of :
- YDPA
- Senate (Dewan Negara)
- House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)
Members of Senate
- Total : 70
- 40 appointed by YDPA
- 26 elected by SLA of the 13 states (2 per state)
- 2 from WP KL
- 1 from WP Labuan
- 1 from WP Putrajaya appointed by YDPA
Requirements to be a Senator
- A Malaysian who is at least 30 years old
- Term of office : 3 years
- A senator cannot hold the post for more than 2 terms
Members of House of Representatives
- Total : 222 (elected)
- 209 MP are from the states of Malaysia
- 11 from WP KL
- 1 from WP Labuan
- 1 from WP Putrajaya
Requirements to be a member of Parliament
Any Malaysian who is at least 18 years old can take part in an election to become a member of Parliament
Disqualification of members of Parliament or Senator (6)
- is of unsound mind
- is a bankrupt
- holds an office of profit
- spends more money than what is allowed under the law on his/her election campaign
- is found guilty of an offence where the punishment is imprisonment of 1 year or more, or a fine of RM 2000 or more
- becomes a citizen of another country
Vacancy in the Senate or House of Representatives
- Happens if an MP or Senator dies, resigns or is disqualified
- Must be filled within 60 days
- A new MP must be elected in a by-election or a new Senator must be elected by the Sate or appointed by YDPA within 60 days after vacancy happens
Executive consists of :
- YDPA
- Prime Minister
- Cabinet
- Public services
How does the executive govern the country ?
According to the laws made by the Parliament
Roles of YDPA
- YDPA is a constitutional monarch and Supreme Head of the Federation
- Head of Islam in his home state and in Malacca, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories of KL, Labuan and Putrajaya
- Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the Federation
Election of YDPA
- Elected by the Conference of Rulers from among the 9 Rulers of the States for a term of 5 years and this selection is by rotation
- Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the other 4 States cannot become YDPA and participate in the election
Functions of YDPA with advice of PM or Cabinet
- Appointing judges
- Appointment and dismissal of all Cabinet Ministers (save for the PM)
- Making a proclamation of emergency (advice from Cabinet)
Functions of YDPA without advice of PM or Cabinet/can act on his own discretion
- Appointment of PM. (must appoint a member of the HoR who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of the majority)
- Withholding of consent to a request to dissolve Parliament
- Calling a meeting of the Conference of Rulers (concerned solely with the privileges, position, honours and dignities of Their Royal Highness, and any action decided at the meeting)