Law of Malaysia

Module 2

The Federal Constitution and national institutions: the constitutional monarchy, Parliament, the Cabinet, the separation of powers, elections and the position of Islam, the Rulers and the Malays and natives

Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with a federal structure. Its head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is elected for five years by the Conference of Rulers from among the nine hereditary Rulers, and in most matters acts on the advice of the Cabinet. Parliament has two Houses, the elected Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara, and the Prime Minister leads a Cabinet that must keep the confidence of the Dewan Rakyat. Three features give the Constitution its character: Islam is the religion of the Federation (Article 3), the Rulers have a protected place, and Article 153 safeguards the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak together with the legitimate interests of other communities. A foreigner who works, invests or lives in Malaysia deals with these institutions every day, from licences to elections to public order.

General education on the law of Malaysia, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the state and the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Malaysian advocate and solicitor for any real matter.

This course was written on 5 November 2026. To the best of our knowledge, it describes the law of Malaysia as it stood on that date. Laws change, and we may have missed or misunderstood something. If you notice a change, or have other information, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will review it and update the course. We do not claim to be the final source of the law.