Dewan Negara

Dewan Negara

Malaysia
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The Senate (Malay Dewan Negara, literally National Hall) is the upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia. The Dewan Negara consists of 70 senators, of which 26 are indirectly elected by the states, with two senators for every state in the Federation, and the other 44 being appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King).

The Dewan Negara reviews legislation that has been passed by the lower house, the Dewan Rakyat; both meet at the Houses of Parliament in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Both houses must pass a bill before it can be sent to the King for royal assent; however, if the Dewan Negara rejects a bill, it can delay the bill's passage by only a year before it is sent to the King.

Originally, the Dewan Negara was meant to act as a check on the Dewan Rakyat and represent the interests of the various states. However, the original constitution, which provided for a majority of state-elected senators, has since been modified to make senators appointed by the King the majority.

Read more about Dewan Negara:  Membership, Powers and Procedure, Current Composition