Constitution; Sabah -
self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives,
with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers
delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state,
holds 27 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*

Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)

National holiday: National 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 TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku
Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan
TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin
Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) were elected for five-year terms by
and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since
16 July 1981) was appointed by the paramount ruler; Deputy Prime
Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the paramount ruler from among the
members of Parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen)
Senate (Dewan Negara): elected members serve six-year terms;
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (58 total, 32 appointed by the paramount
ruler and 26 elected by the state legislatures) seats by party NA
House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat): members elected for
five-year terms; elections last held NA April 1995 (next to be held
NA 2000); results - National Front 63%, other 37%; seats - (192
total) National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Semangat'46 6

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount
ruler

Political parties and leaders:
Peninsular