MALAYSIAN STUDIES

MPW 2133

TOPIC
THE POLITICAL SYSTEM
IN MALAYSIA

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS TOPIC;

1)To identify the types of

political systems
adopted by Malaysia

2) To understand the
concept of each types
and its implementation
in Malaysia
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WHAT IS MEAN BY POLITICAL SYSTEM?

Political system,the set of formal legal institutions
that constitute a government or a states.
This is the definition adopted by many studies of the
legal or constitutional arrangements of advanced
political orders.
More broadly defined, however, the term comprehends
actual as well as prescribed forms of political
behaviour, not only the legal organization of
thestatebut also the reality of how the state
functions.

HOW ABOUT MALAYSIA?

Malaysia practices a system of

government based on Constitutional
Monarchyand Parliamentary Democracy
at two levels, Federal and State levels.
At the Federal level the head of State is the
King and the head of government is the
Prime Minister.

MALAYSIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM

TheGovernment of Malaysiarefers to theFederal
Governmentornational governmentauthority based in the federal
territories of Kuala Lumpur and the federal executive based in
Putrajaya.
Malaysia is a federation of13 states operating within aconstitutional
monarchyunder theWestminster parliamentary systemand is
categorised as a representative democracy.
The federal government of Malaysia adheres to and is created by
theFederal Constitution of Malaysia, the supreme law of the land.

ypes of system applied in malaysia

THE CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY SYSTEM

THE PARLIMENTARY DEMOCRACY SYSTEM

THE FEDERAL SYSTEM

WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL

MONARCHY?
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a king
or queen acts as Head of State.
The ability to make and pass legislation resides with an
elected Parliament, not with the Monarch.
As a system of government, constitutional monarchy separates
the Head of States ceremonial and official duties from party
politics.

As a constitutional monarch,
the Sovereign must remain
politically neutral.

On almost all matters the

Sovereign acts on the advice
of prime minister. However,
the Sovereign retains an
important political role as
Head of State, formally
appointing prime ministers,
approving certain legislation
and bestowing honours.

The Sovereign has other

official roles to play such as
Head of the Armed Forces.
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WHAT IS THE PARLIAMENTARY

DEMOCRACY?
Democratic form of government in
which the party (or a coalition of
parties) with the greatest
representation in
theparliament(legislature) forms the
government, its leader
becomingprime minister.
Executive functions are exercised by
members of the parliament appointed
by theprime ministerto thecabinet.
The parties in the minority serve in
opposition to the majority and have
the duty to challenge it regularly.
The prime minister may be removed
from power whenever he loses the
confidence of a majority of the ruling
party or of the parliament.

HOW THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

ELECTED?

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HOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL SYSTEM??

The term "federalism" is also used to describe asystem of
government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided
between a central governing authority and constituent
political units (such as states or provinces).
The jurisdiction clearly stated in 9th Schedule of Federal
Constitution of Malaysia. Divide three types,
1.

list I (Federal)

2. List II (State) and

3. List III (Concurrent list mixed)

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