Why Do We Vote?
An Election sets the stage for all Malaysians to exercise their constitutional right and responsibility to vote.
No matter who you support and what you want for a better Malaysia, voting in an election is important because you will have the chance to select the candidate and government who you think can best represent your concerns on issues that affect everyday life.
No matter who you support and what you want for a better Malaysia, voting in an election is important because you will have the chance to select the candidate and government who you think can best represent your concerns on issues that affect everyday life.
Who Are You Voting For?
On voting day, you will need to fill up a ballot card and select the representatives of your choice. The ballot card contains the candidates’ name and party, and voters need to select two candidates, one under federal constituency and another for state constituency.
For example
If you are voting in Kedah, you may be voting for:
P.004 Langkawi
N.01 Ayer Hangat
Candidates with majority votes will then become Members of Parliament and State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri or DUN).
*citizens of federal territories will only need to vote for Members of Parliament.
PARLIAMENT
Candidates with the most votes from each federal constituency
301 votes
230 votes
will form 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat and are known as Members of Parliament (MP).
In parliament sessions, MPs debate on public concerns and are involved in the country’s law-making process.
MPs have the authority to make laws and change or abolish current laws based on The Malaysian Constitution.
MPs have the authority to make laws and change or abolish current laws based on The Malaysian Constitution.
DUN
Each of the 13 Malaysian states have its own constitution and legislative assemblies, much like a state-level version of the house of parliament.
Elected representatives of state constituencies become Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) and have authority in making and changing laws on state level.
Who Gets To Become Federal Government?
Each of the 222 MPs belong to different political parties, and the party with the most seats in parliament forms the federal government. The majority party will elect a leader to become Prime Minister, and then the federal government will be formed with a list of ministers.
Similarly for state governments, the party with majority votes will elect a Chief Minister and form state-level minsters branching from the federal government's cabinet.
Similarly for state governments, the party with majority votes will elect a Chief Minister and form state-level minsters branching from the federal government's cabinet.
Who Wants Your Vote?
Electoral candidates consist of politicians with a set of ideas and policy goals for their own constituencies and the country. A candidate may be a member of a political party, a group with shared political goals, and contest in elections under the party label. These political parties may also be part of coalitions formed by a pact between different parties.
Get to know some of the major political coalitions and parties in Malaysia:
Get to know some of the major political coalitions and parties in Malaysia:
Barisan Nasional (BN)
UMNO
PBRS
MIC
MCA
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
DAP
AMANAH
PKR
UPKO
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
BERSATU
GERAKAN
SAPP
STAR
PAS
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)
SUPP
PBB
PDP
PRS
Gerak Rakyat Sabah (GRS)
PBS
Others
MUDA
PEJUANG
PBM
WARISAN
Who Should I Vote For?
Get to know who you’re voting for into the Dewan Rakyat! Check out this website to get a full review on their track record as well as links to their social media pages and contact information.
Learn more
