Page 17 - The Guide To Sarawak
P. 17
THE GUIDE TO SARAWAK
15
Temples. Historic churches include the Dutch-colonial Christ Church in Melaka and the neo-classical St George’s in Penang.
Government
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy based on the Westminster Parliamentary System. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is King and Head of State. He is chosen from Malaysia’s nine hereditary rulers
for a 5-year term based on a rotation system.
Elections to the Lower House, the Dewan Rakyat, are held every five years, and all citizens above 21 years old are eligible to vote. Members of the Upper House or Senate, the Dewan Negara, are appointed
Symbols of religious harmony. The Al-Naim Mosque and the Church of the Good Shepherd sit side-by-side (and even share a car park) in Lutong, Sarawak.
by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the respective state governments.
The Prime Minister is the head of the party with the most seats in the Dewan
Rakyat, and appoints and leads a cabinet of ministers. Malaysia is administered
by a professional civil service, both at federal
and state levels.
The Merdeka Day (Independence Day) Parade held on 31st August, 2013 at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. The King and Queen take the salute, accompanied by the Prime Minister and other VIPs.
