About Malysia

The Federation of Malaysia comprises 13 States. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a separate Federal Territory, as is the island of Labuan.

Malaysia's federal system is substantially weighted towards the centre, the Federal parliament enjoying sole authority to legislate in the fields of external affairs, defence and internal security, justice, except for Islamic law, industry, commerce, finance, education, transportation and communication. The powers of the States are limited, being confined primarily to land and natural-resource management and the oversight of local government. Sabah and Sarawak, however, enjoy some powers not available to the states of West Malaysia, in particular in matters of land law, finance, and religion.

The distribution of powers is set out in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. It contains 3 lists: the Federal List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. In the event of conflict between Federal law and State law, the former will prevail. The residue of powers, not enumerated in any of the Lists, falls to the States.

Each State has its own written constitution and elected Legislative Assembly. All State legislatures of Malaysia are unicameral, varying from 14 to 56 members. The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is administered directly by the Federal government.