The political framework of Malaysia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

King: Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (since 24 January 2019)
Prime Minister: Anwar bin Ibrahim (since November 2022)

Next Election Dates

House of Representatives: November 2027

Main Political Parties

The currently government relies on the support of the following parties/coalitions:

Alliance of Hope (PH) coalition:
- People's Justice Party (PKR): centre-left
- Democratic Action Party (DAP): centre-left, social democracy
- National Trust Party (AMANAH): centre-left, Islamic modernism
- The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO): multiracial political party based in Sabah

National Front (BN) coalition:
- United Malays National Organisation (UMNO): right-wing, known for being a major proponent of Malaysian nationalism
- Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC): right-wing
- Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA): right-wing, represents Malaysian Chinese contingency

Sarawak Parties (GPS) Alliance:
- Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB): right-wing
- PRS
- Progressive Democratic Party (PDP): regionalist
- Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP): centre

Sabah People's coalition (GRS), formed by three regionalist parties: the Sabah People's Ideas Party (PGRS), the Love Sabah Party (PCS), and the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR).
The Heritage Party, the Social Democratic Harmony Party (KDM), and the Malaysian Nation Party (PBM) also support the government.

The opposition blocked is formed by the National Alliance (PN), comprising:
- Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS): Islamist, far-right
- Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU): centre-right, nationalism.

Executive Power

The head of state is the Paramount Ruler, commonly referred to as the King. The King is selected from nine hereditary rulers (called Sultans) of the Malay states to serve a five-year term; the other four states (which have titular Governors) do not participate in the selection. The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the lower house. If no single party or coalition wins a majority, the King has the discretion to appoint a Prime Minister who he believes is most likely to command majority support in parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of Government and holds the executive powers which include implementation of the law and running the day-to-day affairs of the country. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister from among the members of parliament with the consent of the Paramount Ruler.

Legislative Power

The legislature in Malaysia is bicameral. The parliament consists of the Senate (the upper house) with 70 seats, out of which 44 are appointed by the Paramount Ruler and 26 are appointed by the 13 state assemblies, to serve three-year terms; and the House of Representatives (the lower house) with 222 seats, its members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. The King can dissolve parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister. In general, more power is vested in the executive branch of government than in the legislative branch. Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. Each state has its own Government, a cabinet with executive authority, and a legislature that deals with matters not reserved for the federal parliament.