PAD240: The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament, the federal legislature of Malaysia: Government and Politics Assignment, UTM, Malaysia

The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament, the federal legislature of Malaysia. The House and its powers are established by Article 44 of the Malaysian Constitution. The Dewan Rakyat sits in the Dewan Parlimen in Kuala Lumpur, along with the Dewan Negara, the upper house.

The Dewan Rakyat or the House of Representatives shall consist of 222 elected members (Article 46). All of them are elected by the people. In other words, they are the representatives of the people for the People’s choice.

Many new policies and programs are introduced by the Dewan Rakyat for the development and welfare of the people. Both the Dewans must basically approve the Bill like policy, law, or program with a simple majority for any issues of public interest as set out in Article 159, and for with 2/3 majority for most of the provisions in the Federal Constitution, such as issues relating to Conference of Rulers, and the special position and privileges of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Besides that, some of these provisions also require the consent of the Conference of Rulers before they could be amended.

The Dewan Rakyat has the jurisdiction and authority to debate almost any issue of national interest. For example, from financial budget to security of the state, to international trade, and so on. The Dewan Rakyat drafts and proposes the laws known as a ‘bill’.

But in order to be made a law, it needs to be passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, then it is sent to the King for royal assent. If the bill is rejected by the Dewan Negara, legalizing the proposed bill will be delayed for a maximum of one year before it is sent for royal consent.