Copyright 2001 Janet Matthews Information Services Quest Economics Database CIRCA (Cambridge International Reference on Current Affairs)

September 19, 2001

SECTION: Comment & Analysis; Pg. 1

LENGTH: 601 words

HEADLINE: PEOPLE IN POWER:

BODY:

Full name: The Federation of Malaysia. Capital: Kuala Lumpur. The head of state has moved his offices to the new administrative capital, Putrajaya. Current Constitution: 1957. Head of state: The head of state is the Supreme Head of State (Yang di-Pertuan Agong), elected by the nine hereditary Malay rulers of Peninsular Malaysia from among their own number. The present incumbent, Salehuddin Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Selangor, was first elected in February 1999, and sworn into office in April. The head of state's term of office is five years. Legislature: The legislature, the Parliament (Parlimen), is bicameral. The lower chamber, the House of Representatives (), has 193 members, directly elected for a five-year term. The upper chamber, the Senate (), has 69 members, serving a six- year term; each of the Legislative Assemblies of the states of Malaysia elects two members of the Senate, and the remaining 43 members are nominated by the head of state. Executive: The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed, with the Cabinet, by the head of state. Most recent elections: - Presidential: February 1999. - Legislative: Nov. 29, 1999. Political makeup of government: The ruling National Front coalition (BN - ) retained a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in the 1999 legislative elections, although its dominant party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), suffered the loss of several seats. UMNO leader Mahathir Mohamed has been Prime Minister since July 1981. A new government was sworn in on Dec. 14, 1999, following the legislative elections. Two new ministers were appointed on Jan. 30, 2001. The minister of finance and special functions resigned on June 2, 2001. Mahathir took over his portfolios temporarily. Head of State Salehuddin Abdul Aziz ibni al-Marhum Hisamuddin Alam: Supreme Head of State (Yang di-Pertuan Agong)

Cabinet Mahathir Mohamed: Prime Minister; Minister of Finance and Special Functions : Deputy Prime Minister; Home Affairs : Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Bernard Dompok: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Pandikar Amin Musa: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office : Lands and Co-operative Development Zaharah binti Sulaiman: National Unity and Social Development Hamid Albar: Foreign Affairs : Primary Industries S. : Public Works : Rural Development : Science, Technology and the Environment : Transport Hishammuddin Tun Hussein: Youth and Sports Najib Tun Razak: Defence : Education Nazri Abdul Aziz: Entrepreneurial Development (f): International Trade and Industry : Health Mohamad Khalil Yaakob: Information Anak Irok: Energy; Telecommunications and Posts Effendi Norwani: Agriculture Muhyiddin Yasin: Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir: Culture, Arts and Tourism : Human Resources : Housing and Local Government (f): Women's Affairs

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LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2001