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Political System
Malaysia has gained its independence on the 31st of
August 1957 and was made a constitutional monarchy in 1963. The
constitution was last modified in 1994. Malaysia operates a
bicameral Parliament consisting of a non-elected upper house and an
elected lower house. Powers of state are limited by the federal
constitution. Head of state is the King, elected every five years
from among the nine Rulers. The Head of government is the Prime
Minister, who must be a member of the Dewan Rakyat (House of
Representatives) or Parliament.
Mahathir Mohamad, who has been Malaysia's Prime Minister for 22 years has
resigned in October 2003. He has been succeeded by Dato Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former deputy prime minister.
Head of Government
Prime Minister: Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Administrative Divisions
Malaysia consists of thirteen states, eleven on the Malayan
Peninsula (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang,
Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Selangor and Terengganu) and two on the
island of Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak).
Additionally Malaysia contains two federal territories, one off the
island of Borneo (Labuan) and one on the Malayan Peninsula (Wilayah
Persekutuan).
Capital
Malaysia's capital is Kuala Lumpur with a population of 1.1 million.
The new Federal Government Administrative Capital is
Putrajaya, about 25 km South of KL.
National Holiday
Malaysia's national holiday is celebrated each year since 1957 on
the 31 of August (Independence Day / Malaysia Day).
Legal System
The Malaysian legal system is based upon English common law.
Traditional Islamic law however, still applies to Muslims in respect
of personal status matters. Since Malaysian law is continuously
developing it is adopting other influences from around the world.
For example Australian law is becoming increasingly noticeable, in
relation to land law.
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