Legislation

Function of parliament
House of parliament
Article in FC
Legislation is the law enacted by the legislature, and by the bodies and person authorized by
the legislature. In Malaysia, the power to enact law is vested in parliament at the federal level
and State Legislative Assembly at the state level. The Constitution is the supreme law of the
federation whereby Parliament and State Legislative Assembly is not supreme. They can
enact the law within the limits and in the manner prescribe by the Federal and State
Constitutions. Laws enact by the Parliament called Acts but laws enact by the federal
legislature before 10 September 1959 are called Ordinances. Laws enact by the State
Legislative Assembly are called Enactments. However, in Sarawak they are known as
Ordinances. Laws promulgated during emergency proclaimed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong are
also called as Ordinances.

The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature and functioning as democratic

law-making body of Malaysia. The Parliament is led by Yang di-Pertuan Agong and consist
of two Houses of Parliament known as Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat as stated in Article
44 of the Federal Constitution. His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong act as the supreme head
of Malaysia. Members of Dewan Negara are known as senator while members of Dewan
Rakyat are known as Members of Parliament. According to Article 46 of the Federal
Constitution which House of Parliament consist of 222 members and composition of Senate
shall consist of 70 members as mentioned in Article 45. Every citizen resident in the
Federation is eligible to be the members of Dewan Negara as long as he is thirty years old
and above. On the other hand, the members of Dewan Rakyat shall not be less than twenty-
one years old.

The Parliament functions is to passed Federal Law and making amendments to

existing law. It also reviews government programmes, approves spending, and approves new
taxes. The parliament is also another venue for public interest discussions. The Constitution
grants particular rights and legal immunities under “Parliamentary Privileges” to Members of
Parliament so that Parliament can fully and successfully carry out its obligations. Each House
has the authority to set its own rules of procedure; each has sole control over its own
proceedings, the legality of which cannot be contested in court; and each House has the
authority to punish any of its members who violate its privileges or act in contempt of it.