Malaysia: Government
Key Figures
- Chief of State:
- King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah
- Head of Government:
- Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Overview
- Government Name:
- Malaysia
- Constitution:
- Adopted: 1957; Establishes the Federation as a constitutional monarchy with the role of Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Head of State) being largely ceremonial. It also provides for the establishment and the organization of three branches of the government: the bicameral legislative branch (Parliament) which consists of the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) and the Senate (Dewan Negara); the executive branch led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers; and the judicial branch.
- Government Type:
- Constitutional Monarchy

Index of Economic Freedom
Country Risk Rating
Government Branches
Main Powers | Election Process | Election Cycle 1 | |
---|---|---|---|
Executive | The King is largely a ceremonial role and is head of state. The prime minister is the head of government, leads the cabinet of ministers and can choose to not appoint a Deputy Prime Minister if they so please. |
Monarchy is elected by hereditary state rulers. The prime minister is designated by parliament. |
At least once within 5 years |
Judicial | The highest court and the final appellate court in Malaysia. |
Justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister. |
Mandatory retirement age of 65 |
Legislative | The Dewan Negara reviews legislation that has been passed by the lower house. If the Dewan Negara rejects a bill, it can delay the bill's passage by only a year before it is sent to the King. The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of parliament - all bills must be passed by both houses before they are given Royal Assent. |
The Dewan Negara has 44 members that are appointed by the monarch, 26 members are elected by state legislatures. The Dewan Rakyat members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies. |
Dewan Negara: 3 years; Dewan Rakyat: 5 years |
Regional Trade Blocs
International Organization Participation [2]
Environmental Agreements [3]
Tax Information [2]
- Tax Authority:
- Royal Malaysia Customs Department
- Tax Name:
- GST
Sources:
- ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
- EY, http://www.ey.com
- CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
- U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/