Politics & Government Guide in Malaysia

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Malaysia operates as a federal constitutional monarchy under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Unity Government, formed after the 2022 hung parliament. The coalition of Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, and East Malaysian parties governs amid challenges like policy coordination and upcoming elections by February 2028. Recent efforts include economic reforms via Budget 2025, though repressive laws persist.

Government Type

Federal Constitutional Monarchy

Legal System

Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law

Head of State

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah of Pahang(since 2019)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim(Pakatan Harapan)since 2022

Legislature

Type:bicameral

Upper House:Senate (70 seats)

Lower House:House of Representatives (222 seats)

Major Political Parties

Pakatan Harapan(PH)

Centre-left

82 seats

Perikatan Nasional(PN)

Right-wing

74 seats

Barisan Nasional(BN)

Centre-right

30 seats

Voting Rights

Citizens aged 18 and above have voting rights in federal, state, and local elections

Recent Developments

Unity Government failed to pass 10-year term limit constitutional amendment in 2025
Budget 2025 introduced with MYR 421 billion allocation and new 2% dividend tax effective 2025
New Cyber Security Act enforced in 2024 expanding online policing powers

Voting Age18

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1957

Federal States and Territories16