Parliament of Malaysia facts for kids

The Parliament of Malaysia (which in Malay is called Parlimen Malaysia) is the main law-making body for the country of Malaysia. It works like the Parliament in the United Kingdom. This system is often called the Westminster system.

Malaysia's Parliament has two main parts. It is like having two houses. One part is called the Dewan Rakyat, which means the House of Representatives. The other part is the Dewan Negara, also known as the Senate.

The Parliament meets in a special building. It is called the Malaysian Houses of Parliament. This building is in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

When people talk about a "Member of Parliament" (or MP), they usually mean someone from the Dewan Rakyat. This is the "lower house" of the Parliament. A "Senator" is usually someone from the Dewan Negara. This is the "upper house."

What is Parliament?

A parliament is a group of people. They are chosen by citizens or appointed. Their job is to make laws for the country. They also discuss important issues. Malaysia's Parliament helps govern the country.

The Two Houses of Parliament

Malaysia's Parliament has two parts. This is called a bicameral system.

Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

The Dewan Rakyat is the more powerful house. Its members are chosen by the people. Citizens vote for who they want to represent them. These members are called Members of Parliament (MPs). They serve for a set number of years.

The main job of the Dewan Rakyat is to make laws. They also discuss the country's budget. They represent the different areas of Malaysia.

Dewan Negara (Senate)

The Dewan Negara is the upper house. Its members are called Senators. They are not directly elected by the public. Some Senators are chosen by the King. Others are chosen by the state governments.

Senators usually serve for three years. Their role is to review laws. They make sure new laws are fair and well-thought-out.

Where Parliament Meets

The Parliament of Malaysia meets in a special building. It is called the Malaysian Houses of Parliament. This building is in Kuala Lumpur. It has special rooms for both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara.

Images for kids

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  Dewan Negara in the Malaysian Houses of Parliament

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  Dewan Rakyat in the Malaysian Houses of Parliament