Parliament of Malaysia
FAQ
1. What is the function of Parliament?
Parliament is a legislative body for Federal Government that passes and amends
Federal laws, scrutinizes Government policies and approves Government budgets and
proposal for new taxes.
2. When was the Parliament first meeting?
The first meeting of the first session of the first Parliament was on 11 September 1959
at Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall, Jalan Ampang which is now known as Malaysian Tourism
Centre (MaTiC).
3. When was Parliament building officiated?
Parliament building was officiated on 2 November 1963.
4. How many members are there in the Senate and the House of Representatives?
The number of members of the Senate is subject to Clause (1) Article 45 of the Federal
Constitution. The Senate comprises 70 members. The details are as below:
• Two (2) members for each State shall be elected in accordance with the
Seventh Schedule: and
• two (2) members for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, one member each
for Federal Territory of Labuan and Federal Territory of Putrajaya; and
• forty (40) members shall be appointed by His Majesty the King.
The term of office of a Senator (member of the Senate) shall be three years (one term)
and could be extended to two terms. The Senate shall not be affected by the
dissolution of Parliament.
The number of members of the House of Representatives is subject to Clause (1)
Article 46 of the Federal Constitution which is 222 members that are elected through
Election system.
5. Who can be the Deputy President and the Deputy Speaker?
Based on Clause (1) Article 56 of the Federal Constitution, the Deputy President must
be appointed from among the members of the Senate. For the House of
Representatives, two Deputy Speakers must be appointed based on Clause (1) (b)
Article 57 in which they are chosen from among the members of the House of
Representatives.
Who can be the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
6.
Representatives?
The President of the Senate is appointed based on Clause (1) Article 56 of the Federal
Constitution and he must be appointed from among the members of the Senate itself.
On the other hand, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is appointed based on
Clause (1) (a) Article 57 of the Federal Constitution. The Speaker need not be a
member of the House to be elected as the Speaker by the House.
What are the rules for the proceedings in the Senate and the House of
7.
Representatives?
The rules and procedures for the Senate and the House of Representatives are the
Standing Orders of the Senate and Standing Orders of the House of Representatives
respectively.
8. What is it meant by the term ‘’Parliamentary Session’’?
Parliamentary Session is the period between the Opening of Parliament until the end
of the sitting each year.
9. What is it meant by the term ‘’Meeting’’?
Meeting is a sitting or sittings of the House beginning from the first sitting when it was
called for meeting at any time and ends after the House was adjourned for more than
14 days or when the date for next sitting was not set or after the prorogation of a
Parliament session.
10. What is it meant by the term ‘’Sitting’’?
Sitting refers to the meetings of the House. Sittings begin and end at the times
prescribed under the Standing Orders, unless notified by the Speaker/President or
amended through a Motion by the Minister.
The sitting of the House is a one-day meeting which begins at 10.00am to 1.00pm and
resumes at 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
11. What is it meant by the term “Prorogue”?
Prorogue is the act of terminating a Parliament session to be replaced with the next
session.
12. When can the Parliament be dissolved?
Dissolution of Parliament is based on Clause (3) Article 55 of the Federal Constitution
that states the Parliament can be dissolved after 5 years from the date of its first
meeting or anytime sooner.
