| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Parlimen / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Dewan Negara / Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Senate (Tuan Yang di-Pertua) |
| Term |
- duration: 3 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all Senators
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Senate or when a vacancy occurs
- before Senators are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Senator can be a candidate
- candidatures must be submitted by a third party who is himself a Senator
- candidatures must be supported by another Member of the Senate
|
| Voting system |
- if only one candidature is submitted : the candidate is elected without a vote or debate
- if two candidatures are submitted : a vote by secret ballot is held. The simple majority is required
- if more than two candidatures are submitted : a vote by secret ballot is held. In the absence of an absolute majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated after each round of voting
|
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk (Setiausaha) presides over the Senate during the voting |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- in the absence of the President, the Vice-President (Timbalan Yang di-Pertua) can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions, in exceptional case only
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of petitions, questions, bills and amendments
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open and close sittings, within the framework of the Standing Orders
- can suspend sittings for short periods
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Senate
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives (the Senator who catches the Speaker's eye would have the floor) and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
|
| Special powers |
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting, only in the case of a tied vote |
