The document summarizes key aspects of the Malaysian constitution: - Malaysia was originally established as the Federation of Malaya in 1957 with 11 states, and was renamed Malaysia in 1963 when it expanded to include Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (though Singapore later left in 1965). - The constitution is the supreme law of Malaysia and any laws inconsistent with it are void. It establishes Malaysia as a constitutional monarchy with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. - It guarantees fundamental liberties for citizens and divides powers between the federal and state governments through three lists that delineate their respective areas of authority.

1. Version Date [March 2015]
MALAYSIAN
CONSTITUTION
by
Mohamed Abdi Mohamed

2. Federation of Malaya
31 Aug 1957
The Federation was established on this day.
Federation of Malaya
The Federation was initially called
the Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu).
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Pulau Pinang
Perak
Perlis
Selangor
Terengganu

3. Malaysia
16 Sept 1963
The Federation was enlarged with 3 new member states, Sabah,
Sarawak and Singapore.
Malaysia
At the same time, its name was changed to Malaysia.
+ Sabah
+ Sarawak
+ Singapore
left the Federation in 1965

4. The Constitution is the SUPREME
LAW
of Malaysia
Any law passed after 31 Aug 1957 which is inconsistent with the
Constitution shall be void. Article 4(1).
Any court or tribunal applying the provision of any law in operation
immediately before 31 Aug 1957 may apply it with such modifications as
may be necessary to bring it into accord with the Constitution. Article
162(6).

5. Malaysia is a
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
Head of State Five-year reign Advice
The Yang di-
Pertuan Agong
(King) is
Malaysia’s
Constitutional
Head of State.
He is elected by
the Conference of
Rulers, by
rotation, from the
Rulers of the nine
Malay States.
Each King is elected
for a five year reign
The King
exercises his
executive powers
on the advice of
the Cabinet,
except on limited
matters.

6. The three branches of government are the
LEGISLATURE
EXECUTIVE
JUDICIARY
The Legislature make laws.
The Executive administers the laws.
The Judiciary interpret the laws.

7. Legislative Power
Parliament
Article 44
The Malaysian parliament is a bi-cameral legislature:
Dewan Negara
The Dewan Negara (the Senate) is the upper house
Dewan Rakyat
The Dewan Negara (House of Representatives)
is the lower house
PARLIAMENT BUILDING, KL

8. Executive Power
Articles 39 - 40
King acting on cabinet advice
Executive authority is vested in the King but, as a constitutional monarch, he
must act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, except on certain limited
matters such as the giving of consent to the early dissolution of Parliament.

9. Judiciary Power
Articles 121 – 131A
The judiciary deals with all civil and
criminal matters, other than those
which are under the Syariah courts.
The Federal Court is the highest civil
court. It has the power to determine
Constitutional issues.
Federal Court
Court of Appeal
High Courts
Subordinate Courts
PALACE OF JUSTICE, PUTRAJAYA

10. The constitution provides
FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES
Article
5 Liberty of the person
6 Slavery and forced labour prohibited
7 Protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials
8 Equality
9 Prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement
10 Freedom of speech, assembly and association
11 Freedom of religion
12 Rights in respect of education
13 Rights to property

11. Federal Goverment
Federal List
State List
ConcurrentList
Article 74 of Federal Constitution :
State Goverment
Federal +
State
Goverment
-External affairs
-National defence
-Internal security
-Citizenship
-Etc.
-Islamic law
-Land
-Agriculture and
forestry
-Local services
-Etc.