Dewan Negara facts for kids
The Dewan Negara (which means Senate in Malay) is like the "upper house" of the Parliament of Malaysia. Think of it as a special group of people who help make and check the laws for the country. It has 70 members, called senators.
Some of these senators are chosen by the different states in Malaysia, and others are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (who is the King of Malaysia). This mix helps make sure that both the states and important groups of people across the country have a voice in how Malaysia is run.
Quick facts for kids SenateDewan Negara |
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|---|---|
| 14th Parliament | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
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Term limits
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3 years (up to 2 terms) |
| Leadership | |
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President
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Dr. Rais Yatim, PN-BERSATU
Since 2 September 2020 |
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Vice President
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Abdul Halim Abdul Samad, BN-UMNO
Since 18 April 2016 |
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Secretary
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Sujairi Abdullah
Since 25 February 2020 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 70 |
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Political groups
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As of 14 September 2020[update] Government (44) Barisan Nasional (19)
Perikatan Nasional (17)
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (6)
Independent (2) Confidence and supply (2) GERAKAN (1) Independent (1) Opposition (20) Pakatan Harapan (16)
WARISAN (1) UPKO (1) MAP (1) PEJUANG (1) Vacant (4) |
| Committees |
4
Committee of Selection
House Committee Committee of Privileges Standing Orders Committee |
| Elections | |
| Indirect election and appointments | |
| Meeting place | |
| Dewan Negara chamber Malaysian Houses of Parliament, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Contents
What is the Dewan Negara?
The Dewan Negara is an important part of Malaysia's government. It's often called the "upper house" because it works alongside another group, the Dewan Rakyat (the "lower house"). Together, these two groups form the Parliament of Malaysia. Their main job is to make and approve laws for the country.
The Dewan Negara acts like a second check on new laws. When a new law is proposed, it usually starts in the Dewan Rakyat. After it's approved there, it goes to the Dewan Negara for review. This helps make sure that all laws are fair and well-thought-out before they become official.
Who are the Senators?
The Dewan Negara has 70 members, and they are called senators. These senators are chosen in two main ways:
- Elected Senators: Each of Malaysia's 13 states gets to choose two senators. This means 26 senators are elected by the state legislative assemblies. This ensures that every state has a direct voice in the upper house.
- Appointed Senators: The remaining 44 senators are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the King). Among these, four are specifically chosen to represent the federal territories (like Kuala Lumpur). The King usually appoints people who have special skills, knowledge, or who can represent important groups in society.
Senators serve for a term of three years. They can serve for a maximum of two terms. This helps bring in new ideas and people into the government.
What Does the Dewan Negara Do?
The main job of the Dewan Negara is to review and discuss new laws, also known as "bills."
- When a bill is passed by the Dewan Rakyat, it then goes to the Dewan Negara.
- The senators discuss the bill, suggest changes, and then vote on it.
- While the Dewan Negara can suggest changes or even delay a bill, it cannot completely block a "money bill" (a bill about taxes or government spending).
- Besides laws, the Dewan Negara also discusses important national issues and policies. This helps make sure that different viewpoints are heard and considered in the country's decisions.
Important People in the Dewan Negara
Just like in a school or club, there are leaders who help run the Dewan Negara meetings smoothly.
- President: The leader of the Dewan Negara is called the President. Their job is to make sure debates follow the rules and that everyone gets a chance to speak. The current President is Dr. Rais Yatim.
- Vice President: The Vice President helps the President and takes over if the President is not available. The current Vice President is Abdul Halim Abdul Samad.
- Secretary: The Secretary handles all the official paperwork and records for the Dewan Negara. Sujairi Abdullah is the current Secretary.
Where Do They Meet?
The senators meet in a special room called the Dewan Negara chamber. This chamber is located within the Malaysian Houses of Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. It's a grand building where all the important discussions about the country's future take place.
Images for kids
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The official emblem of the Dewan Negara.
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A chart showing how the Dewan Negara was made up in March 2020.
