Cover image via SAYSElections in Malaysia are based on seats. When Malaysians vote, they are choosing representatives for specific areas.
In a general election, voters choose Members of Parliament, or MPs, to represent parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat. In a state election, voters choose State Assemblypersons, commonly called ADUNs, to represent state seats in the State Legislative Assembly, or DUN.
The results are then counted seat by seat. The side that can command enough support among elected representatives forms the government, either at the federal level or state level.
This guide explains the basics: Parliament, DUN, MPs, ADUNs, parliamentary seats, state seats, first-past-the-post voting, popular vote, caretaker government, snap elections, by-elections, and how governments are formed.
The quick summary
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What do Malaysians vote for in a general election? | A Member of Parliament |
| What do Malaysians vote for in a state election? | A State Assemblyperson |
| Do Malaysians vote directly for the prime minister? | No |
| What is a parliamentary seat? | An area that elects one MP |
| What is a state seat? | An area that elects one ADUN |
| How does a candidate win a seat? | By getting the most votes in that seat |
| How is government formed? | By having enough seat support to lead |
| Does popular vote decide government? | Not automatically |
| What is a snap election? | An election called before the full term ends |
| What is a by-election? | An election for one vacant seat |
What are Malaysians actually voting for?
Malaysians vote for representatives in specific seats.
In a general election, voters choose Members of Parliament, or MPs, to represent parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat. In a state election, voters choose State Assemblypersons, commonly called ADUNs, to represent state seats in the State Legislative Assembly, or DUN.
This means your ballot paper is about the candidate contesting in your area. That candidate may represent a political party. That party may also be part of a coalition. But on polling day, you are voting for the candidate contesting in your constituency.
You are not directly voting for the prime minister, menteri besar, or chief minister. Those roles are decided after the election based on who can command enough support among elected representatives.
Parliament vs DUN: what is the difference?
Parliament is the federal level, while the DUN is the state level.
Parliament is where federal laws are debated and passed. The Dewan Rakyat is made up of MPs elected through parliamentary seats.
The DUN, or State Legislative Assembly, handles state-level representation. ADUNs are elected through state seats.
| Level | Elected representative | Where they sit | What it affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Member of Parliament, or MP | Dewan Rakyat | Federal government |
| State | State Assemblyperson, or ADUN | State Legislative Assembly, or DUN | State government |
MPs sit in the Dewan Rakyat and help determine the federal government, while ADUNs sit in the state assembly and help determine the state government.
MP vs ADUN: what is the difference?
An MP represents a parliamentary seat, while an ADUN represents a state seat.
An MP sits in the Dewan Rakyat and represents voters at the federal level. An ADUN sits in the DUN and represents voters at the state level.
What is a parliamentary seat?
A parliamentary seat is a single-member constituency that elects one Member of Parliament.
Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat currently has 222 MPs, with each MP representing one parliamentary constituency.
For voters, your parliamentary seat tells you which group of candidates you can vote for in a general election. For parties and coalitions, parliamentary seats matter because they determine who has enough support to form the federal government.
Has the Dewan Rakyat always had 222 seats?
No. The Dewan Rakyat has not always had 222 seats.
The number of Dewan Rakyat seats has changed several times since Malaysia's early parliamentary history because of major constitutional, territorial and redelineation changes.
When the first Parliament met in 1959, the House of Representatives had 104 elected members. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, the Dewan Rakyat expanded from 104 to 159 seats, incorporating representation from Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
After Singapore left Malaysia, the number later dropped to 144. Over time, the number increased again through later redelineation exercises.
The Dewan Rakyat has remained at 222 seats since the 2008 general election.
| General election / period | Seats |
|---|---|
| 1959 | 104 |
| 1963/1964 | 159 |
| 1965/1969 | 144 |
| 1974 | 154 |
| 1986 | 177 |
| 1990 | 180 |
| 1995 | 192 |
| 1999 | 193 |
| 2004 | 219 |
| 2008–present | 222 |
Any change to the number of Dewan Rakyat seats would require a constitutional amendment because the Federal Constitution sets the composition of the House of Representatives.
In simple terms, Parliament would need to approve the change before new parliamentary seats could be added.
*The Dewan Rakyat seat counts in this guide have been cross-checked against official Parliament of Malaysia references and publicly available election data.
Can the number of Dewan Rakyat seats change before the next election?
It can change in theory, but voters should not assume new seats will be added before the next general election.
Changing the number of Dewan Rakyat seats is not just an administrative decision. A redelineation exercise can review and redraw electoral boundaries, but redrawing boundaries and adding new parliamentary seats are not the same thing. Adding seats requires the constitutional process to be completed before Parliament is dissolved.
While there have been ongoing discussions about reviewing electoral boundaries, strict legal requirements and election timing make it unlikely that new Dewan Rakyat seats would be added unless the process is completed in time.
Until that happens, voters should treat 222 seats as the current Dewan Rakyat total.
What is a state seat or DUN seat?
A state seat is a single-member constituency that elects one State Assemblyperson, or ADUN.
State seats are used in state elections. The candidate who wins a state seat becomes the ADUN for that area. State seat results determine who has enough support to form the state government.
Federal Territories such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan do not have State Legislative Assemblies, so voters there do not vote for for state assembly seats in those territories.
Why do some Malaysian elections include state seats while others do not?
Some elections include state seats because Parliament and state assemblies can be on different timelines.
In Malaysia, parliamentary elections and state elections are not always held together. If Parliament and your state assembly are dissolved around the same time, voters in your area may vote for both Parliament and the state seat.
If only Parliament is being elected, you may receive only one ballot paper for your parliamentary seat. If only a state election is happening, eligible voters in that state vote only for state seats.
This is why some voters get one ballot paper while others get two.
What is first-past-the-post voting?
First-past-the-post means the candidate with the most votes in a seat wins.
The winner does not always need more than 50% of the votes if there are more than two candidates. For example, if three candidates contest a seat, the winning candidate is the one who gets the highest number of votes in that seat.
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Candidate A | 15,000 |
| Candidate B | 13,000 |
| Candidate C | 8,000 |
Candidate A wins because they received more votes than any other candidate in that seat.
Even though Candidates B and C together received more votes than Candidate A, their votes are not combined. Under first-past-the-post, the seat goes to the single candidate with the highest vote count.
Why does Malaysia's popular vote not automatically decide government formation?
Malaysia's popular vote does not by itself decide government formation, because seats and confidence in the legislature matter more.
The popular vote refers to the total number of votes received nationwide. But Malaysia's election system is seat-based. Winning a lot of votes across the country is not the same as winning enough seats. This means a party or coalition can receive many votes overall but still fail to win enough parliamentary seats to form the federal government.
What matters after a general election is who has enough support in the Dewan Rakyat.
How is the federal government formed?
The federal government is formed by the side that commands enough support in the Dewan Rakyat.
After a general election, the seat count matters most. Because the Dewan Rakyat currently has 222 seats, a side usually needs at least 112 seats to have a simple majority.
If one party or coalition has enough seats, government formation is usually more straightforward. If no side has enough seats on its own, parties and coalitions may need to negotiate support.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints as prime minister the Member of Parliament who, in His Majesty's judgment, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members.
That is why Malaysians do not directly vote for the prime minister in a general election. They vote for MPs.
How is a state government formed?
A state government is formed by the side that has enough support in the State Legislative Assembly.
After a state election, the seat count in the DUN matters. The side with enough support forms the state government. The Menteri Besar or Chief Minister is appointed based on who is likely to command majority support in the state assembly, depending on the state.
In states with a ruler, the Menteri Besar is sworn in before the Sultan or Raja. In states without a ruler, the Chief Minister is sworn in before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
What happens if no side has enough seats?
If no party or coalition has enough seats to govern alone, Malaysia may have a hung parliament or hung state assembly.
This means no side has a clear majority on its own. When this happens, parties and coalitions may need to negotiate support, form agreements, or build a broader government.
This is where terms like coalition government, unity government, confidence and supply, and majority support become important.
What is a unity government?
A unity government is a government supported by multiple parties or coalitions, usually when no single bloc can govern comfortably on its own. In everyday terms, it means different political groups agree to support one government.
This became especially relevant after Malaysia's 15th general election in 2022, when no single party or coalition won enough seats on its own to form the federal government.
After post-election negotiations, a government was formed with support from multiple coalitions and parties. This is why the term "unity government" became widely used in Malaysia after GE15.
A unity government does not mean all parties agree on everything. It usually means enough parties agree to support the government so it can function.
What is a caretaker government?
A caretaker government runs basic administration after Parliament or a state assembly is dissolved until a new government is formed.
When Parliament is dissolved before a general election, the previous government does not instantly disappear. It continues in a caretaker role so the country can keep functioning. In general, a caretaker government is expected to avoid major new policies, major appointments, or major decisions unless necessary.
The exact limits can be debated, but the basic idea is simple: it keeps administration going until voters choose a new Parliament or state assembly and a new government is formed.
What is a snap election?
A snap election is an election called earlier than expected, before the full term naturally ends.
Under the Federal Constitution, Parliament continues for five years from the date of its first meeting unless it is dissolved earlier. Once Parliament is dissolved, a general election must be held within 60 days.
The current Parliament first sat after GE15 in December 2022. If it runs its full term, the next general election would only need to be held by early 2028.
If Parliament is dissolved earlier than that, the election would commonly be described as a snap election or early general election.
In simple terms, a snap election happens when voters are sent back to the polls before the full five-year term is up. A snap election is still a general election. The difference is timing.
What is the anti-party hopping law?
Malaysia's anti-party hopping law is meant to stop elected representatives from freely switching parties after winning a seat.
In simple terms, an MP who leaves the party they were elected under may risk losing their seat, depending on the situation. The law was introduced after years of concern that party-hopping could change governments without voters going back to the polls.
However, the details can be technical. For first-time voters, the main point is this: winning a seat does not mean an MP can freely switch parties without possible consequences.
Can MPs switch parties after winning an election?
MPs cannot simply switch parties without the anti-party hopping rules becoming relevant.
If an MP leaves their party after being elected, the seat may be affected under the anti-party hopping provisions. However, not every political realignment works the same way. For example, party-level coalition arrangements can be more complicated than one individual MP crossing over alone.
For most voters, the useful takeaway is this: the law makes it harder for individual MPs to change sides after winning, but coalition politics can still shape government support.
What happens after election results are announced?
After results are announced, parties and coalitions look at the seat count.
If one side clearly has enough support, government formation is usually more straightforward. At the federal level, the leader who is likely to command majority confidence in the Dewan Rakyat is appointed prime minister by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. After the appointment, the prime minister is sworn in. A Cabinet is then formed, and ministers are appointed.
At the state level, the same basic idea applies, but the process happens through the state. The Menteri Besar or Chief Minister is appointed and sworn in before the Sultan, Raja or Yang di-Pertua Negeri, depending on the state. If no side has enough seats, parties may negotiate support before a prime minister, chief minister or menteri besar is appointed.
What is a by-election?
A by-election is an election held for one specific seat when that seat becomes vacant.
This can happen for either a parliamentary seat or a state seat. A by-election may be held if an elected representative dies, resigns, is disqualified, or if the seat is vacated under the law.
Only voters in the affected seat vote in a by-election. If it is a parliamentary by-election, voters in that parliamentary constituency vote. If it is a state by-election, voters in that state constituency vote. A by-election does not mean the whole country or state votes again.
The voting process is generally similar to a normal election. Voters still check their polling details, go to their assigned polling centre, verify their identity, receive a ballot paper, mark their choice and place the ballot into the ballot box. Political parties and candidates also campaign during by-elections, but only for the affected seat.
Common misunderstandings about Malaysian elections
Many election misunderstandings come from confusing votes, seats and government formation.
| Misunderstanding | What actually happens |
|---|---|
| "We vote directly for the prime minister" | Voters elect MPs. The prime minister is appointed based on majority support in the Dewan Rakyat |
| "The party with the most votes automatically forms government" | Government depends on seats and majority support |
| "MPs and ADUNs do the same job" | MPs are federal representatives. ADUNs are state representatives |
| "Everyone gets two ballot papers" | Some voters get one, depending on which elections are happening |
| "A by-election means the whole country votes again" | A by-election only involves the affected seat |
| "Once Parliament is dissolved, there is no government" | A caretaker government continues basic administration |
| "A snap election is a different type of election" | It is still a general election, but called earlier than expected |
| "Redelineation automatically means more seats" | Boundaries can be reviewed, but adding Dewan Rakyat seats requires constitutional change |
Frequently asked questions
What is a general election in Malaysia?
A general election is an election to choose Members of Parliament for the Dewan Rakyat. It determines which MPs are elected and which side may have enough support to form the federal government.
Do Malaysians vote directly for the prime minister?
No. Malaysians vote for MPs. The prime minister is appointed based on who is likely to command majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
What is the difference between Parliament and DUN?
Parliament is the federal law-making body. The DUN, or State Legislative Assembly, is the state-level law-making body.
What is the difference between an MP and an ADUN?
An MP represents a parliamentary seat in the Dewan Rakyat. An ADUN represents a state seat in the DUN.
What is first-past-the-post voting?
First-past-the-post means the candidate with the most votes in a seat wins. The winner does not always need more than 50% if there are multiple candidates.
Why does popular vote not automatically decide government?
Because Malaysia forms governments based on seat support, not total nationwide vote share. A party can win many votes overall but not enough seats to govern.
How many seats are needed to form the federal government?
With 222 Dewan Rakyat seats, a simple majority is usually 112 seats. If the number of Dewan Rakyat seats changes in the future, the majority number would also change.
Will Malaysia have more Dewan Rakyat seats in the next election?
It is possible in theory, but it is not automatic. New parliamentary seats would require the necessary constitutional and electoral processes to be completed before Parliament is dissolved. Until that happens, voters should treat 222 seats as the current Dewan Rakyat total.
What happens if no side has enough seats?
Parties and coalitions may negotiate support. If no side has a clear majority, the result may be described as a hung parliament or hung state assembly.
What is a caretaker government?
A caretaker government keeps basic administration running after dissolution until a new government is formed. It is generally expected to avoid major new decisions unless necessary.
What is a snap election?
A snap election is an election called before the full term naturally ends. It is still a general election, but it happens earlier than expected.
Can MPs switch parties after winning?
Malaysia has anti-party hopping rules that make it harder for elected MPs to switch parties without consequences. The details depend on the situation.
Can the party with the most seats fail to form government?
Yes, if it cannot command enough support to lead. Government formation depends on majority support, not simply being the single party with the most seats.
Can a state government be different from the federal government?
Yes. A state can be governed by a different party or coalition from the federal government because state elections and federal elections are separate.
Why do Federal Territory voters not vote for ADUNs?
Federal Territories such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan do not have State Legislative Assemblies, so voters there vote for parliamentary seats but not DUN seats.
Related election guides
- How To Vote In Malaysia: A Complete Polling Day Guide For First-Time And Returning Voters
- Can Malaysians Overseas Vote In A General Election?
- How To Apply For Postal Voting From Overseas
- Who Qualifies For Postal Voting In Malaysia?
- What Happens If Your Postal Ballot Does Not Arrive?
- Postal Voting In Malaysia: Who Qualifies, How To Apply, And What Overseas Voters Need To Know
- What Disqualifies Someone For Voting In Malaysia?
Last updated: 4 August 2026
