Page 111 - Malaysia Baharu 2018
P. 111
THE SENATE 5 | THE MALAYSIAN CONSTITUTION AND RULING SYSTEM
The Senate the Supreme Council which plays its role in debating a law or
enactment in detail. It is also responsible to discuss matters pertaining to
the public interests. Pursuant to Article 68 of the Federal Constitution, the
Senate has no power to reject a law passed by the House of Representatives
before submission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, the Senate
may postpone the implementation of the law.
The Senate has 70 members, of which 44 are appointed by the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong from the citizens who in the opinion of the Rulers,
“has served with or has achieved glorious standards in public services,
commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities, community services or
representatives of the smallest numbers or who can represent the interests
of indigenous people”. The Federal District is made up of four members,
of which two members representing the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur,
a member representing the Federal Territory of Labuan and a member
representing the Federal Territory of Putrajaya are also appointed by
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. A total of 26 people are elected by the State
Legislative Assembly from 13 states in Malaysia, and every state submits
two Senators.
A Speaker and his Deputy will be chosen in advance for handling the
Assembly among its own members. Membership of this Assembly is limited
to citizens aged 30 years and above. The term of service for a member of
the Senate is three years and the member of the Senate can be appointed
for a second time and hold the post of Senator for the next three years.
Each Senator is only allowed to hold the position for two terms.
The term of service as a member of the Senate is not affected by the
dissolution of Parliament. Parliament is empowered by the Constitution to
change the membership of the Senate, such as increasing the number of
members elected by the Legislative Assembly to three people, making sure
members of the National Assembly are elected by voters, or reduce the
number of members appointed to the Senate.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives is a special Council for the people to voice their
wishes and opinion and obtain defence through their representatives. Members
of the House of Representatives are elected directly by the people during the
General Election. The Speaker and his Deputy are elected by the House of
Representatives. However, there is also a condition in the Constitution that
allows the Speaker to be chosen from outside the House of Representatives.
Those who are selected through this process will be considered as the
additional members of the House of Representatives. Membership of the
House of Representatives is limited to citizens aged 21 years and above and
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The Senate the Supreme Council which plays its role in debating a law or
enactment in detail. It is also responsible to discuss matters pertaining to
the public interests. Pursuant to Article 68 of the Federal Constitution, the
Senate has no power to reject a law passed by the House of Representatives
before submission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, the Senate
may postpone the implementation of the law.
The Senate has 70 members, of which 44 are appointed by the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong from the citizens who in the opinion of the Rulers,
“has served with or has achieved glorious standards in public services,
commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities, community services or
representatives of the smallest numbers or who can represent the interests
of indigenous people”. The Federal District is made up of four members,
of which two members representing the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur,
a member representing the Federal Territory of Labuan and a member
representing the Federal Territory of Putrajaya are also appointed by
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. A total of 26 people are elected by the State
Legislative Assembly from 13 states in Malaysia, and every state submits
two Senators.
A Speaker and his Deputy will be chosen in advance for handling the
Assembly among its own members. Membership of this Assembly is limited
to citizens aged 30 years and above. The term of service for a member of
the Senate is three years and the member of the Senate can be appointed
for a second time and hold the post of Senator for the next three years.
Each Senator is only allowed to hold the position for two terms.
The term of service as a member of the Senate is not affected by the
dissolution of Parliament. Parliament is empowered by the Constitution to
change the membership of the Senate, such as increasing the number of
members elected by the Legislative Assembly to three people, making sure
members of the National Assembly are elected by voters, or reduce the
number of members appointed to the Senate.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives is a special Council for the people to voice their
wishes and opinion and obtain defence through their representatives. Members
of the House of Representatives are elected directly by the people during the
General Election. The Speaker and his Deputy are elected by the House of
Representatives. However, there is also a condition in the Constitution that
allows the Speaker to be chosen from outside the House of Representatives.
Those who are selected through this process will be considered as the
additional members of the House of Representatives. Membership of the
House of Representatives is limited to citizens aged 21 years and above and
109
