Malaysia

MALAYSIA

-AGUILAR, SARAH JANE R.-AB POL SCI

Location: Southeastern Asia. Shares borders with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and

Brunei. Capital:

 Kuala Lumpur Climate:

 Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons 

Population: 24,821,286 (July 2007 est.) 

Ethnic Make-up: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% 

Religions:Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian  9.1%,  6.3%, Confucianism,

Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% Hindu

Forming the Independent State of MalaysiaFollowing the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II, a growing

nationalist movement prompted the British to establish the semiautonomous Federation of Malaya in 1948. But Communist guerrillas took to the jungles to begin a war of national liberation against the British, who declared a state of emergency to quell the insurgency, which lasted until 1960.

The independent state of Malaysia came into existence on Sept. 16, 1963, as a federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo), and Sarawak. In 1965, Singapore withdrew from the federation to become a separate nation. Since 1966, the 11 states of former Malaya have been known as West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak as East Malaysia.

By the late 1960s, Malaysia was torn by rioting directed against Chinese and Indians, who controlled a disproportionate share of the country's wealth. Beginning in 1968, it was the government's goal to achieve greater economic balance through a national economic policy.

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT

CURRENT PRESIDENT:

Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak

Born:  July 23, 1953- 6TH President- current Prime Minister of Malaysia- He was sworn in to the position on 3 April 2009

to succeed Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT:

 -Federal Representative Democratic Constitutional Monarchy BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT:

Executive Branch:-vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the Lower House of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA), commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament and is responsible to that body.

The Executive branch of the government consists of the Prime Minister as the head of the government, followed by the various ministers of the Cabinet. It formulates various socio-economic policies and development plans, for the development of the country as a whole. The Executive has the power and authority to generate revenues through the collection of various taxes, levies, fines, summons, custom duties, and fees, to name some, from the general public.

Legislative Branch:

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral parliament consists of the lower house the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (literally the "Chamber of the People"); and the upper house the Senate or Dewan Negara (literally the "Chamber of the Nation").All seventy Senate members sit for three-year terms (to a maximum of two terms); twenty-six are elected by the thirteen state assemblies, and forty-four are appointed by the king based on the advice of the Prime Minister. The 222 members of the Dewan Rakyat are elected from single-member districts by universal adult suffrage. Parliament has a maximum mandate of five years by law. The king may dissolve parliament at any time, and usually does so upon the advice of the Prime Minister.General elections must be held within sixty days of the dissolution of parliament. In practice, this has meant that elections have been held every three to five years at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. Malaysia has two sources of law. The national constitution, the nation's supreme law, can be amended by a two-thirds majority in parliament. (Since its formation, the BN has never lacked the necessary two-thirds until 8 March 2008's General Election) The second source of law is syariah (Islamic law), which applies only to Muslims. The federal government has little input into the administration of syariah; it falls to the states to implement Islamic law, and interpretations vary from state to state. The parliament follows a multi-party system and the governing body is elected through a first-past-the-post system.

Judicial Branch:

The judiciary is theoretically independent of the executive and the legislature,

 although supporters of the government hold many judicial positions. The highest court in the judicial system is the Federal Court, followed by the Court of Appeal, and two High Courts, one for Peninsular Malaysia, and one for East Malaysia. The subordinate courts in each of these jurisdictions include Sessions Courts, Magistrates' Courts, and Courts for Children. Malaysia also has a Special Court to hear cases brought by or against all Royalty.

There is also a Special Court, established in 1993 to hear cases brought by or against Ruler. Before its establishment, Rulers were immune from any proceedings brought against them in their personal capacity. Rulers include the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the elected Monarch), and the heads of state of Malaysia's component states.Separate from the civil courts are the Syariah Courts, which decide on cases which involve Malaysian Muslims. These courts run parallel to the normal court system, and are undergoing reforms that include the first ever appointment of female judges. Debate exists in Malaysia over whether the country should be secular or Islamic. Some state governments controlled by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, including that of Terengganu, have passed Islamic laws, but these have not gone into effect due to opposition from the federal government.