What a federal system means
A federal system is a way of organising a country in which power is divided between a single federal (central) government and a number of state governments. Each level of government has its own areas of responsibility, and the division is written down in a supreme document — the Federal Constitution. Malaysia practises this system together with a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
How the system took shape
The idea of joining the Malay states into one unit was tried during British rule. The Malayan Union of 1946 tried to centralise power and reduce the position of the Malay Rulers, and it was strongly rejected. It was replaced by the Federation of Malaya under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948, which restored the standing of the Rulers and created a genuine federal structure. When the Federation gained independence on 31 August 1957, the constitution drafted by the Reid Commission kept this federal arrangement.
When Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined the eleven Peninsular states, so the country then had fourteen states. After Singapore left in 1965, Malaysia has consisted of thirteen states. Three Federal Territories were later carved out and placed directly under the federal government: Kuala Lumpur (1974), Labuan (1984) and Putrajaya (2001).
Key idea / 要点
Under Malaysia's federation, power is split between the federal government and the state governments, and the Federal Constitution is the highest law that fixes this division.
Why a federation suits Malaysia
Federation lets a diverse country stay united while allowing each state to manage local matters such as land and religion. It balances national unity with regional identity, protects the position of the Malay Rulers, and gives Sabah and Sarawak special safeguards over matters like land and immigration.
Remember / 记住
- Malayan Union 1946 (centralised, rejected) → Federation of Malaya 1948 (federal).
- Federal system kept at independence (1957) and at the formation of Malaysia (1963).
- 13 states today plus 3 Federal Territories: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya.