The Parliament of Malaysia consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives held its first meeting on 11 September 1959.
Listed below are the important events which lead towards parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
The Straits Settlements Legislative Council was established following the transfer of the Straits Settlements (Penang, Singapore and Malacca) from the English East India Company to Colonial Office. | |||
The Legislative Council was the first institution in the country which had debates and discussions which shows the characteristic of modern Parliament. |
Independent Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan entered into a confederation collectively known as the Federated Malay States (FMS). | ||
This was a significant development as a foundation was laid for the eventual adoption of a federal system of government for the entire country like what we have today. There was no legislative body to formulate and regulate laws for the four states as a whole before the Federation. The respective State Councils in the four states continued to pass legislation in respect of their own states. |
The life of the Senate is not affected by the dissolution of Parliament. Senators are drawn from the ranks of persons who have rendered distinguished public services or have achieved distinction in the professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service or are representatives of racial minorities or are capable of representing the interests of Orang Asli.
Every Member, before taking his seat in the Senate, must take the prescribed oath before the President of the Senate. By the oath, the Members swear or affirm that they will faithfully discharge their duty as Senators to the best of their ability, to bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
Last updated: 10 July 2023 | Hits: 105702