Page 18 - The Guide To Sarawak

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INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIA
Their Majesties the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong (Malaysia’s King and Queen) pictured together with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister (left) and their wives.
Malaysia has had 6
Prime Ministers since independence; Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (1957-70); Tun Abdul Razak (1970-76); Tun Hussein Onn (1976-81); Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (1981-2003); Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003-09); and Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak (2009-present), who is
the eldest son of Tun Abdul Razak. The longest serving Prime Minister was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who held the position for 22 years.
Malaysia is made up of thirteen states and three Federal Territories. Nine states have hereditary
rulers (Perlis, Kedah,
Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor), while the remaining four (Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak),
have governors, who are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
All 13 states have their own State Legislative Assemblies (Dewan Undangan Negeri), elected every five years. The three Federal Territories of
Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are governed directly through the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing in conjunction
with local authorities, namely Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation.
The national flag, the
Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory), comprises a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes which represent
the equal status of the 13 member states and the federal government. The blue canton bears a yellow crescent, representing Islam, the country’s official religion, and a 14-point
star representing the unity between the member states and the federation. The yellow colour of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.