Dewan Rakyat

Independence and the Making of Malaysia · Treatise · 7 min read

Where Do Laws Come From

Article 44 Places Legislative Power in Parliament; Article 4 Places the Constitution Above All Laws

An independent nation requires not only executors but also lawmakers. Article 44 vests the federal legislative power in Parliament, which consists of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Dewan Negara, and Dewan Rakyat. Article 4 establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the federation; laws passed after independence that are inconsistent with it are void to the extent of the inconsistency. This article explores how Malaya transitioned from colonial orders to a legislative machinery under the Constitution.