Why Are M'sians Voting Again? Here's Everything You Need To Know About The State Elections

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But why are we voting again even though the election term typically lasts five years has not even past yet?

In this story, you will learn the differences between elections on the federal level and state level, as well as other information that will help you better understand Malaysia's governing systems.

With all that said, not every Malaysian will need to vote in the coming state elections. Read on to find out whether you need to vote or not.

Before we begin, it is important to understand how the country's governing systems work.

Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with a federal constitutional monarchy. On top of that, the country also practises a federation system. Knowing the functions of these different systems is fundamental to understanding why and how we vote, as well as how the country is governed.

Below is a breakdown of the functions of each system:

Malaysia has a Paramount Ruler referred to as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He is the Supreme Head of the Federation as well as the leader of the Islamic faith in Malaysia.

The King is also the highest commander of the armed forces. His Majesty carries out his duties under the Constitution under the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

The country has nine hereditary rulers (Sultans), who take turns to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong every five years.

Malaysia's parliamentary democracy is the separation of powers into three parts: namely the Legislative, the Judiciary, and the Executive.

Parliament is the country's highest legislative body. Its main function is to pass, amend, and repeal acts of law. It consists of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Senate (Dewan Negara), and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat).

Members of the House of Representatives are called members of the parliament (MPs), whom the rakyat elect in the General Election (GE) every five years. Yes, one of the ballots we cast during the GE is to choose our MPs.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate are called senators. There are 70 of them in total, where 26 are chosen by the state legislative assemblies and 44 are chosen by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under the advice of the Prime Minister.

The term of office is three years for a maximum of two terms. The tenure of the Senate is not affected by the dissolution of parliament.

The Judiciary is the court system, which is independent of other fractures of powers, while the Executive is made up of the Conference of Rulers, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the public services. The Executive governs the country according to the laws made by parliament.

Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under the advice of the Prime Minister. Cabinet members must be selected from members of either houses of parliament, meaning they must be either an MP or a Senator.

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three Federal Territories.

Each state has its own constitution and an executive council, which deals with non-federal matters under a Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), answerable to elected state assemblies. Meanwhile, the governance of the Federal Territories (Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Labuan) lies in the hands of the Department of Federal Territories.

Members of the state legislative assembly are called assemblypersons or 'Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri' (ADUN). Another yes, the second of the ballots we cast during the GE is to choose our assemblypersons.

Federal Territories do not have assemblypersons.

The functions of a state legislative assembly, the house where assemblypersons convene, is to discuss and enact laws related to matters such as land and natural resources (except oil and gas), public facilities, social welfare, youth and sports, culture, and the administration of the state and local governments (your Majilis Daerah, Majlis Perbandaran, and Majilis Bandaraya).

The laws enacted at the state legislative assembly level only affect the jurisdiction within the state. One prime example is the Syariah or Islamic law. The states normally determine the religious law.

As for parliament, the effects of its functions impact the whole nation. Other than passing, amending, and repealing federal laws, the duties of MPs, especially those who are not aligned with the federal government, are also to facilitate check and balance of the federal government's decisions, policies, and executions.

The same can be said for assemblypersons, as their role is also to facilitate check and balance of the state government's decisions, policies, and executions.

The federal government holds various portfolios, including external affairs, defence, internal security, civil and criminal law, citizenship, finance, industry, health, and education. The federal government may also make laws to promote the uniformity of the laws of two or more states, and it may legislate on any subject at the request of a state legislative assembly.

In short, an assemblyperson is someone who represents you to raise local concerns at the state legislative assembly, while an MP is someone who represents you to raise nationwide concerns at parliament. One represents you at the state level, another represents you at the federal level.

During a state election. Just like parliament, the state legislative assembly has a five-year term.

Sometimes, the state governments will dissolve their state legislative assemblies along with parliament to make way for both state and national polls to be held together; sometimes not.

It is the Head of State's prerogative under the advice of the Menteri Besar to dissolve the state legislative assembly. In a case like this, a state election must be called 60 days after the state legislative assembly is dissolved.

In GE15 last year, Sabah, Melaka, Sarawak, and Johor did not hold state elections alongside the national poll because these states had held their respective elections within the past three years.

Pakatan Harapan-controlled states (Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan) and PAS-led states (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah) also did not hold their state elections.

Only electorates in Perlis, Perak, and Pahang (Barisan Nasional-controlled states) received two ballot papers to vote in GE15 last November.

During a GE, also referred to as the national poll or national election. Just like the state legislative assembly, parliament has a five-year term.

It is the Supreme Head of the Federation's prerogative under the advice of the Prime Minister to dissolve parliament. In a case like this, a national election must be called 60 days after parliament is dissolved.

GE15 was held on 19 November 2022 after parliament was dissolved on 10 October 2022.

Under the federation system, Malaysia currently has 518 assemblypersons, with each state having a different number of state legislative assembly seats.

Whichever political party or coalition acquires more than half of the state seats will form the state government.

Below is the breakdown of the total number of respective state seats and the number of seats required to form the state government:
– Perlis: 15 (seven and above)
– Kedah: 36 (19 and above)
– Penang: 40 (21 and above)
– Kelantan: 45 (23 and above)
– Perak: 59 (30 and above)
– Terengganu: 32 (17 and above)
– Pahang: 42 (22 and above)
– Selangor: 56 (29 and above)
– Negeri Sembilan: 36 (19 and above)
– Melaka: 28 (15 and above)
– Johor: 56 (29 and above)
– Sabah: 73 (37 and above)
– Sarawak: 82 (42 and above)

Only voters from Pakatan Harapan-led states Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan, as well as PAS-led states Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, will need to vote on 12 August 2023.

There are a total of 245 state seats in this state elections, with 9,773,571 people eligible to cast their votes. Of the number, 661,905 of registered voters are aged between 18 and 20, reported New Straits Times.

Sabah
Previous state election date: 26 September 2020
Led by: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)
State seats won: 38 out of 73
Menteri Besar: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (Gagasan Rakyat)

Melaka
Previous state election date: 20 November 2021
Led by: Barisan Nasional (BN)
State seats won: 21 out of 28
Menteri Besar: Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (UMNO, replaced Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, who resigned on 30 March 2023)

Sarawak
Previous state election date: 18 December 2021
Led by: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)
State seats won: 76 out of 82
Premier: Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg (GPS)

Johor
Previous state election date: 12 March 2022
Led by: BN
State seats won: 40 out of 56
Menteri Besar: Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (UMNO)

Perlis
Previous state election date: 19 November 2022
Led by: PN
State seats won: 14 out of 15
Menteri Besar: Mohd Shukri Ramli (PAS)

Perak
Previous state election date: 19 November 2022
Led by: PH and BN (unity state government)
State seats won: 33 out of 59 (PH-24, BN-9)
Menteri Besar: Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (BN)

Pahang
Previous state election date: 19 November 2022
Led by: PH and BN (unity state government)
State seats won: 25 out of 42 (BN-17, PH-8)
Menteri Besar: Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (BN)

You can find that out on MySPR's official website. Simply enter your identification card (IC) number as well as the CAPTCHA to view the information.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to provide the actual voting centre and suggested time to cast your vote in the coming weeks. So, do keep an eye out for the announcement or check the website again before 12 August.

The portal will also provide the list of candidates contesting in the elections after nomination day on 29 July.

You can also download MySPR's app on Apple App Store and Google Play to check your eligibility to vote.