Malaysian Government Trivia Quiz

Answer: Malaysia gained independence from the UK

After gaining independence from the UK the Federal Constitution of Malaysia defined the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head) or constitutional Monarch as Head of State. This means the Ruler has two categories of power. The Head of State exercises powers as advised by the Cabinet - or a cabinet minister, or discretionary powers which can be used to reject a call to dissolve parliament, to convene a meeting of rulers and to appoint the Prime Minister.

He is not however able to remove the Prime Minister from office. If there is an unclear result in the election of a majority, he has discretionary powers to choose someone. Red Crew's smpdit wields her powers in a very benevolent manner.

Answer: Members of Parliament

Cabinet ministers are selected from the Parliament, and are answerable to the Parliament. The Cabinet is directed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (monarch). The Prime Minister is generally selected based on the likelihood of commanding a majority opinion within the Parliament. The makeup of the Cabinet varies by need, except for the Minister of Finance which is a role specified by law. The number of ministers has ranged from 13 to 38 from independence to the 2020s. The Cabinet formulates economic policy and sets the budget, and proposes legislation which is then considered by the Parliament.

Player pusdoc of the Phoenix Rising Red Crew has built kitchen cabinets but not an executive Cabinet.

Answer: Conference of Rulers

The Conference of Rulers consists of both the governors and the Monarch heads of state. For purposes of electing the King of Malaysia, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, only the nine monarchs, not the four appointed governors, meet to fill a vacancy. This could be every five years or when the King dies, resigns or is removed from office. Also, only those nine Monarchs are able to be considered a candidate for the supreme seat.

PR's Red Crew member, jaknginger elected to write this question.

Answer: 13

There are 13 states and 3 federal territories. The most populous state is Selangor, which surrounds the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur. Eleven of the states are on the Malaysian peninsula, with two (Sarawak and Sabah) on Borneo. Nine of the states are monarchies with a hereditary ruler as titular head of state. Governance of the states is shared between the state and federal systems, whereas the federal territories are solely under federal control. The states located on Borneo have more autonomy than the peninsular states.

Player pusdoc has worked herself into a state preparing this question for Phoenix Rising's Red Crew

Answer: Muslim

In addition to the eligibility criteria of being a Malaysian male of royal descent, the person must also be Muslim. Seven of the nine state rulers have the title, Sultan. The other two are Raja and Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Phoenix Rising's jaknginger has realized she will never be a ruler of Malaysia.

Answer: Sarawak

The Governors, Yang di-Pertuan Negeri, cannot participate in the election of the federal constitutional monarch. Penang is on the Northwest coast of the peninsula and is a former British colony. The role of the Governor is mainly symbolic with the constitution of Penang being administered by the Chief Minister and the State Executive Council.
Malacca is in the south of the peninsula and its capital Malacca city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was previously a Malay Sultanate, but that was abolished by the Portuguese in 1511. The role of Governor is mainly ceremonial, with State Legislative Assembly and the Malacca State Executive Council involved in government policy.
Sabah and Sarawak can both be found in the north of Borneo in East Malaysia. Both were previously British Crown Colonies that were granted self-government in 1963 and they became members of the Federation of Malaysia. Their system of government is similar to the Westminster parliamentary system. The Chief Minister rather than the governor is the head of government, with more autonomy than that enjoyed by the states on the peninsula.

Phoenix Rising's smpdit elected to throw this question into the quiz

Answer: 4

The governors are appointed by the supreme ruler of Malaysia. Their four-year terms are renewable. They are addressed as "His Most Excellency." In contrast to the hereditary rulers, the governors do not participate in the election of the supreme ruler and cannot rule on matters related to the observance of Islam or the privileges of the rulers.

As a rule, player Pusdoc is fairly ungovernable but did provide this question for Phoenix Rising's Red Crew as promised.

Answer: King's appointment

Each term as a Senator of the Upper House, or Dewan Negara, lasts for three years, which may be renewed once. The Dewan Negara reviews bills passed by the Lower House, and if approved, pass them onto the King. Originally the senators were mainly elected by the legislative assemblies, but Malaysia's Constitution was modified so the majority are appointed by the King, to allow for a more non -partisan consideration of bills.

Red Crew's leith90 self-appointed herself as guardian of this question.

Answer: Dewan Rakyat

Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat is a directly elected body of members in a first-past-the-post voting system. Each elected term is five years, after which the Dewan Rakyat is dissolved, and a new house is elected. As the legislative branch of the Malay government, the house has the power to pass, amend or repeal primary legislation.

Red Crew's leith90 voted this question into the quiz.

Answer: 24 hours

The judicial system in Malaysia is modeled after British common law. Defendants have rights to rapid appearance before a judge, bail, and counsel. Trials are considered to be fair and open. There is a hierarchy of courts and the types of cases that appear in each one, with the Federal Court as the highest court. The Federal Court has a chief justice and nine other judges. There is also a special juvenile court system, and some religious matters are handled by Islamic courts.

Player pusdoc of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew hopes you will judge this question as acceptable.