Malaysia practises parliamentary democracy based on the principle of the separation of powers. Government authority is divided among three branches so that no single body holds all power.
The three branches
- The Legislature (Parliament): makes laws. Parliament has two houses — the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives, elected by the people) and the Dewan Negara (Senate), together with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
- The Executive: carries out the laws and runs the country day to day. It consists of the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, acting in the name of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
- The Judiciary: the courts, which interpret the law, settle disputes and ensure that laws follow the Federal Constitution.
Key idea
Legislature makes laws → Executive carries them out → Judiciary interprets them. Dividing power prevents abuse and protects citizens' rights.
Democratic practice
Democracy in Malaysia is exercised through general elections, in which citizens vote for their representatives in the Dewan Rakyat and the state assemblies. Key democratic features include the right to vote, competition between political parties, and government accountability to an elected Parliament. Because the branches check one another, power is not concentrated in any one person or body.
Remember
- Three branches: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
- Parliament = Dewan Rakyat + Dewan Negara + the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
- The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, is the executive.
- General elections let citizens choose their representatives.