seats
in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal
security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak
- holds 28 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs,
defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal
government

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular -
negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan,
singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah,
Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*

note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is located within the federal
territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not
interchangeable; there may be a new federal territory named Putrajaya

Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of
the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler Sultan TUNKU
SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam
Shah (since 26 April 1999); Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan MIZAN
Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah

head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since
16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi
(since 8 January 1999)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler

elections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by
and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year
terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (next to be held NA
2004); prime minister designated from among the members of the House
of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of
the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of
Representatives becomes prime minister

election results: Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni
Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected paramount ruler;
Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi
Billah Shah elected deputy paramount ruler

Legislative branch: