Politics of Malaysia

The politics of Malaysia takes place in the framework of a constitutional monarchy, in which the
Monarch is head of state and the Prime Minister of Malaysia is the head of government. Executive
power is exercised by the Malaysian government and the devolved governments of the 11 states in
Peninsular Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak. Federal legislative power is vested in both the
government and the two chambers of parliament, the Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of
Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature,
though the executive maintains a certain level of influence in the appointment of judges to the
courts

However, during the terms of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad as the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia,
many constitutional amendments were made. Henceforth, the Senate can only delay a bill from
taking effect and the Monarch no longer has veto powers on proposed bills. Also, the 26 state
senators are no longer the majority as another 44 senators are appointed by the King at the advice
of the Prime Minister. The amendments also limited the powers of the judiciary to what parliament
grants them.

Malaysia is a multi-party system since the first direct election of the Federal Legislative Council of
Malaya in 1955 on a first-past-the-post basis. The ruling party since then has always been the
Alliance Party (Malay: Parti Perikatan) coalition and subsequently from 1973 onwards, its successor
the Barisan Nasional (Malay for National Front) coalition. The Barisan Nasional coalition currently
consists of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA),
Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and 11 other political parties.

The Constitution of Malaysia is codified and the system of government is based on the Westminster
system.

Although Malaysian politics has been relatively stable, critics allege that "the government, ruling
party, and administration...are intertwined with few countervailing forces."[1]
Political conditions

This article or section may be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent
events in historical perspective. (August 2008)

Malaysia's predominant political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has held power
in coalition with other parties since Malaya's independence in 1957. In 1973, an alliance of communally based
parties was replaced with a broader coalition — the Barisan Nasional — composed of fourteen parties.
Today the Barisan Nasional coalition has three prominent members — the UMNO, MCA (Malaysian Chinese
Association) and MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress). The Prime Minister of Malaysia has always been
from UMNO.
The political process in Malaysia has generally been described as taking the form of "consociationalism"
whereby "communal interests are resolved in the framework of a grand coalition" "Malaysia: Developmental State
Challenged". In Government and Politics in Southeast Asia' The executive branch has tended to dominate
political activity, with the Prime Minister's office being in a position to preside "over an extensive and ever
growing array of powers to take action against individuals or organizations," and "facilitate business
opportunities". Critics generally agree that although authoritarianism in Malaysia preceded the
administration of Mahathir bin Mohamad, it was he who "carried the process forward substantially" Legal
scholars have suggested that the political "equation for religious and racial harmony" is rather fragile, and that
this "fragility stems largely from the identification of religion with race coupled with the political primacy of
the Malay people colliding with the aspiration of other races for complete equality."
Like the desire of a segment of the Muslim community for an Islamic State, the non-Malay demand for
complete equality is something that the present Constitution will not be able to accommodate. For it is a
demand which pierces the very heart of the political system — a system based upon Malay political pre-
eminence. It is a demand that challenges the very source of Malay ruling elites' power and authority.
In early September 1998, Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim and accused Anwar of immoral and corrupt conduct. Anwar said his ouster actually owed to political
differences and led a series of demonstrations advocating political reforms. Later in September, Anwar was
arrested, beaten while in prison (by among others, the chief of police at the time), and charged with corrupt
practices, in both legal and moral contexts, charges including obstruction of justice and sodomy. In April
1999, he was convicted of four counts of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison. In August 2000, Anwar
was convicted of one count of sodomy and sentenced to nine years to run consecutively after his earlier six-year
sentence. Both trials were viewed by domestic and international observers as unfair. Anwar's conviction on
sodomy has since been overturned, and having completed his six-year sentence for corruption, he has since been
released from prison. In the November 1999 general election, the Barisan Nasional was returned to
power with three-fourths of the parliamentary seats, but UMNO's seats dropped from 94 to 72. The opposition
Barisan Alternatif coalition, led by the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), increased its seats to 42. PAS retained
control of the state of Kelantan and won the additional state of Terengganu.
The current Prime Minister is Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (colloquially known as "Pak Lah"). He
took office following the retirement of Dr. Mahathir (now Tun Dr. Mahathir) on October 31, 2003. He is seen as a
more compromising and affable figure as opposed to Tun Dr. Mahathir's more confrontational and direct style.
He has pledged to continue Tun Dr. Mahathir's growth oriented policies, while taking a less belligerent stance on
foreign policy than Tun Dr. Mahathir, who has regularly offended Western countries, the United States of
America and Australia in particular.
In the March 2004 general election, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi led Barisan Nasional to a
landslide victory, in which Barisan Nasional recaptured the state of Terengganu. The coalition now controls
92% of the seats in Parliament. In 2005, Mahathir stated that "I believe that the country should have a strong
government but not too strong. A two-thirds majority like I enjoyed when I was prime minister is sufficient but a
90% majority is too strong. ... We need an opposition to remind us if we are making mistakes. When you are not
opposed you think everything you do is right."
The national media are largely controlled by the government and by political parties in the Barisan
Nasional/National Front ruling coalition and the opposition has little access to the media. The print media are
controlled by the Government through the requirement of obtaining annual publication licences under the
Printing and Presses Act. In 2007, a government agency — the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Commission — issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting
speeches made by opposition leaders. The official state ideology is the Rukunegara, which has been described
as encouraging "respect for a pluralistic, multireligious and multicultural society". However, political scientists
have argued that the slogan of Bangsa, Agama, Negara (race, religion, nation) used by UMNO constitutes an
unofficial ideology as well. Both ideologies have "generally been used to reinforce a conservative political
ideology, one that is Malay-centred"
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy. It is nominally headed by the Paramount Ruler or
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the King of Malaysia. Yang di-Pertuan Agong are selected
for five-year terms from among the nine Sultans of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular
Governors, do not participate in the selection. The king also is the leader of the Islamic faith in Malaysia. The
system of government in Malaysia is closely modeled on that of Westminster parliamentary system, a
legacy of British colonial rule. In practice however, more power is vested in the executive branch of
government than in the legislative, and the judiciary has been weakened by sustained attacks by the government
during the Mahathir era. Parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years, with the last general
election being in March 2008. Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has been governed by a multi-racial
coalition known as the Barisan Nasional (formerly the Alliance).
Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates
that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses
of Parliament and is responsible to that body.
In recent years the opposition have been campaigning for free and fairer elections within Malaysia. On 10
November 2007, a mass rally, called the 2007 Bersih Rally, took place in the Dataran Merdeka Kuala
Lumpur at 3pm to demand for clean and fair elections. The gathering was organised by BERSIH, a coalition
comprising political parties and civil society groups(NGOs), and drew supporters from all over the country.
On 11 November, the Malaysian government briefly detained de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on
Tuesday and arrested a human rights lawyer and about a dozen opposition leaders, amid growing complaints the
government is cracking down on dissent. Dozens of policemen blocked the main entrance to the parliament
building in Kuala Lumpur to foil an opposition-led rally demanding free and fair elections. The rally carried out
hand with the attempt to submit a protest note to Parliament over a government-backed plan to amend a law that
would extend the tenure of the Election Commission chief, whom the opposition claims is biased.
Malaysia's government has intensified efforts on March 6, 2008 to portray opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim
as a political turncoat, days ahead of Malaysian general election, 2008 on March 8, 2008 that will
determine whether he poses a legitimate threat to the ruling coalition.[1]Campaigning wrapped up March 7,
2008 for general elections that could see gains for Malaysia's opposition amid anger over race and religion
among minority Chinese and Indians.[2]. Malaysians voted March 8, 2008 in parliamentary elections.[3].
Election results showed that the ruling government suffered a setback when it failed to obtain two-thirds majority
in parliament, and five out of 12 state legislatures were won by the opposition parties. [4] Reasons for the setback
of the ruling party, which has retained power since the nation declared independence in 1957, are the rising
inflation, crime and ethnic tensions.[5]
Malaysia's government and ruling coalition declared defeat in a landslide victory in by-election by Anwar
Ibrahim. Muhammad Muhammad Taib, information chief of the United Malays National
Organisation which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition stated: Yes of course we have lost . . . we were the
underdogs going into this race.[2] Anwar won by an astounding majority against Arif Shah Omar Shah of
National Front coalition. Malaysia's Election Commission officials announced Anwar won by an astounding
majority against Arif Shah Omar Shah of National Front coalition and over Prime Minister Abdullah
Badawi's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).[3] Reuters reported "Anwar Ibrahim has won
with a majority of 16,210 votes, according to news website Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com):
Anwar won 26,646 votes, while the government's Arif Omar won 10,436 votes.[4] Anwar's People's Justice
Party spokewoman Ginie Lim told BBC: "We won already. We are far ahead."[5]

MALAYSIA
Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)
General information Electoral system Last elections Election archive Presidency

Modules:

General information Electoral system Last elections

Presidency
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER
Parliament name Parlimen / Parliament
(generic / translated)
Structure of Bicameral
parliament
Chamber name Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
(generic / translated)
Related chamber (for Dewan Negara / Senate
bicameral
parliaments)
Affiliation to the IPU Yes More photos >>>

Affiliation date(s) 1967 -

LEADERSHIP

President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia (M)

Secretary General Roosme Hamzah (F)

COMPOSITION

Members (statutory / 222 / 222 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN

current number)
Women (current 24 (10.81%)
number)
Mode of designation Directly elected 222
Notes
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 8 March 2008

More statistics
>>>
CONTACT INFORMATION

Address Dewan Rakyat

Bangunan Parlimen
Jalan Parlimen
50680 KUALA LUMPUR
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (603) 207 21 955
Fax (603) 207 00986
E-mail ipumalay@parlimen.gov.my
Website http://www.parlimen.gov.my

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / Parlimen / Parliament

translated)
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
translated)
Related chamber (for Dewan Negara / Senate
bicameral parliaments)
LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Electoral law 28 August 1958

Last amendment: 29/10/2003
Mode of designation Directly elected 222
Constituencies 222single-member constituencies.
Voting system Majority: Direct simple majority vote.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled within 60 days
through by-elections.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: 21 years
 - Malaysian citizenship
- residence in the constituency where voting
- disqualifications: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, imprisonment,
sentence of death or imprisonment exceeding 12 months
CANDIDATES

Eligibility Qualified electors

Incompatibilities
Candidacy requirements
- age: 21 years
- Malaysian citizenship
- residence in the country
- ineligibility: insanity, allegiance to a foreign State, imprisonment for at
least one year or fine of at least RM 2,000.
Holders of an "office of profit" (i.e., a full-time office in the public
services) such as:
- judge of the Federal Court or a High Court
- Auditor-General
- member of the Election Commission
- each candidate (party member or independent) must be supported by
a proposer and a seconder of same constituency.
- deposit of RM 10,000, reimbursed if the candidate polls more than 1/8
of the total number of votes obtained by all the candidates in the
constituency

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / Parlimen / Parliament

translated)
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
translated)
Related chamber (for Dewan Negara / Senate
bicameral parliaments)
BACKGROUND

Dates of election / renewal 8 March 2008

(from/to)
Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the House of Representatives
following premature dissolution of this body on 13 February 2008.
Elections had previously taken place on 21 March 2004.
On 13 February 2008, King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abi dissolved Parliament on the advice of Prime Minister
Badawi Abdullah, paving the way for early elections to the House of Representatives to be held on 8
March. The elections were constitutionally due by March 2009, but have traditionally been held in the
fourth year of parliament's five-year term in this country of 26 million inhabitants (66% ethnic Malay,
25% ethnic Chinese and 8% ethnic Indian).

In the elections held in March 2004, the National Front (BN), the multi-ethnic 14-party coalition that
includes Prime Minister Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), had won 199 of the
219 seats at stake, its eleventh consecutive victory. The opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP),
which has the support of the country's ethnic Chinese, had won 12 seats. The Alternative Front,
composed of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) and the People's Justice Party (Parti KeADILan Rakyat,
PKR), had won seven seats.

Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister, criticized the decision to hold early elections, which
would take place one month before the ban on his participation in elections was due to expire. An
outspoken critic of former prime minister Mr. Mohamad Mahathir, was convicted of corrupt practices
and sodomy in a controversial 1999 court decision and barred from running for election until 15 April
2008. His wife and PKR president, Mrs. Wan Azizah, said that if she was elected in the 2008 elections,
she would step down so that Mr. Ibrahim would be able to contest the ensuing by-election.

The 2008 elections to the enlarged 222-seat House of Representatives were held amid increasing ethnic
and religious tension and concern over crime, rising food and fuel prices. In November 2007, over
10,000 ethnic Indians led street protests, insisting that they were victims of official discrimination. The
37-year-old affirmative action programme favouring ethnic Malay applications for government jobs and
educational institutions was reportedly unpopular among ethnic Chinese and Indians. The Government
argued that the monthly income of ethnic Indians was higher than the national average.

Prime Minister Abdullah called on voters to renew the BN's mandate, arguing that its numerous
programmes had reduced poverty from 60 per cent at the time of independence to the current 5.7 per
cent. He emphasized that the BN had the necessary experience and capability to further develop the
country.

Before the 2008 elections, the DAP and the PKR agreed not to field candidates in the same
constituencies, so as to avoid splitting the opposition vote. The DAP aimed to prevent a two-thirds
majority of the ruling parties in the Parliament and said it would abolish the system whereby Senators
are appointed. Mr. Ibrahim's legacy reportedly boosted support for the PKR, which ran on an anti-
corruption platform. Many opposition candidates conveyed their campaign messages via the Internet.

The Election Commission introduced transparent plastic ballot boxes for the first time. Its original plan
to use indelible ink to prevent multiple voting was cancelled at the last minute, a decision criticized by
the PKR. The Election Commission announced that the decision had been taken to ensure smooth
conduct of elections.

74.72 per cent of the nearly 11 million registered voters turned out at the polls.

The BN remained the largest force in the new parliament with 140 seats but failed to secure a two-
thirds majority, its worst result since the country's independence in 1957. Former prime minister
Mahathir called for Mr. Abdullah's resignation, a demand the latter rejected.

The opposition parties took a total of 47.8 per cent of the votes nationwide. The number of seats
controlled by the opposition jumped from 19 to 82. The PKR won 31, followed by the DAP with 28. The
PAS took 23. Mrs. Azizah (PKR) was re-elected, paving the way for Mr. Ibrahim's possible return to
parliament.

On 10 March, Mr. Abdullah was sworn in as prime minister for a second five-year term.

The newly elected House of Representatives held its first session on 28 April, and elected Tan Sri
Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia as its new Speaker.

On 31 July, Ms. Wan Azizah (PKR) resigned her seat. Her husband, Mr. Ibrahim, won the resulting by-
election on 26 August by a landslide.
STATISTICS

Voter turnout
Round no 1 8 March 2008
Number of registered electors 10'922'139
Voters 8'161'039 (74.72%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers 177'256
Valid votes 7'983'783

Distribution of votes

Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of
votes
National Front (BN) 4'081'115 51.12
People's Justice Party (PKR) 1'529'256 19.15
Democratic Action Party (DAP) 1'097'752 13.75
Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) 1'140'598 14.29

Distribution of seats

Round no 1
Political Group Total of
seats
National Front (BN) 140
People's Justice Party (PKR) 31
Democratic Action Party 28
(DAP)
Islamic Party of Malaysia 23
(PAS)

Distribution of seats according to sex

 Men 198

Women 24

Percent of women 10.81%

Distribution of seats according to age

Distribution of seats according to profession

Comments
Sources:
- http://www.spr.gov.my/
- Election Commission (30.01.2009)
- Parliament (09.04.2008)

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / Parlimen / Parliament

translated)
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
translated)
Related chamber (for bicameral Dewan Negara / Senate
parliaments)
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE

Title Speaker of the House of Representatives

Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
Appointment - elected by all the Member of the House
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House or when a vacancy
occurs
- before Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any Member of the House (except a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary) or any
person not Member of the House, but qualified to be elected as its Speaker, may be
candidate
- candidatures must be submitted by a third party who is himself a Member of the
House
- candidatures must be supported by another Member of the House
- candidatures must be deposited at least 14 days before the election
Voting system - if only one candidatures is submitted : the candidates is elected without a vote or
debate
- if two candidatures are submitted : a vote by secret ballot is held. The simple majo
is required
- if more than two candidatures are submitted : a vote by secret ballot is held. In the
absence of an absolute majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated
after each round of voting
Procedures / results - the Clerk (Setiausaha) presides over the House during the voting
STATUS

Status - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker (Timbalan Yang di-Pertua) can
assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities NA (no information received)
FUNCTIONS

Organization of parliamentary - convenes sessions, in exceptional case only

business - organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of petitions, questions, bills and amendments
Chairing of public sittings - can open and close sittings, within the framework of the Standing Orders
- can suspend sittings for short periods
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives (the Member who catches the Speaker's eye
would have the floor) and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which
amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure an
 cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum

Special powers - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of
disturbance in the House
Speaking and voting rights, other - takes part in voting, only in the case of a tied vote
functions

Introducti
Malaysia
on

Background: During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established
colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these
were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled
territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya,
which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963
when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian
states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined
the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were
marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine claims to
Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965.
During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad
(1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy
from dependence on exports of raw materials, to expansion in
manufacturing, services, and tourism.

Government Malaysia

Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Malaysia
local long form: none
local short form: Malaysia
former: Federation of Malaya

Government constitutional monarchy

type: note: nominally headed by paramount ruler and a bicameral
Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected
lower house; all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers
except Melaka and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along
with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed
by government; powers of state governments are limited by federal
constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain
certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own
immigration controls); Sabah holds 25 seats in House of
Representatives; Sarawak holds 28 seats in House of Representatives

Capital: name: Kuala Lumpur

geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital;
Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

Administrative 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah, Kelantan,

divisions: Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah,
Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and one federal territory
(wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala Lumpur,
Labuan, and Putrajaya
 Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)

National Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

holiday:

Constitution: 31 August 1957; amended 16 September 1963

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in
the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; Islamic law is applied to
Muslims in matters of family law and religion

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive chief of state: Paramount Ruler Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13
branch: December 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi
(since 31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin
Abdul Razak (since 7 January 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler
elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers
of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3
November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated
from among the members of the House of Representatives; following
legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of
seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister
election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected paramount ruler

Legislative bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan

branch: Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26
appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of
Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (219 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 21 March 2004
(next must be held by 2009)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -
BN 91%, DAP 5%, PAS 3%, other 1%; seats by party - BN 199, DAP
12, PAS 6, PKR 1, independent 1

Judicial branch: Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the
advice of the prime minister)

Political parties National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN (ruling coalition) (consists of

and leaders: the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or PGRM [KOH
Tsu Koon - acting]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik
- Sabah) or LDP [LIEW Vui Keong]; Malaysian Chinese Association
(Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Ka Ting]; Malaysian Indian
Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy VELLU]; Parti
Bersatu Rakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti Bersatu Sabah
or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu or
PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti Rakyat Sarawak or PRS
[James MASING]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Sabah) or
SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu
Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam]; United Malays
National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi];
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization
(Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO
[Bernard DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif
Penduduk Malaysia) or PPP [M.Keyveas]; Sarawak Progressive
Democratic Party or SPDP [William MAWANI]); opposition parties:
Alternative Front (Barisan Alternatif) or BA (consists of PAS and PKR);
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL
Singh]; Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS
[Abdul HADI Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or
PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismael]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP
[Edwin DUNDANG]

Political NA
pressure groups
and leaders:

International APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77,
organization IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
participation: IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,
NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO

Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador RAJMAH binti Hussain

 representation chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
in the US: telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700
FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAFLEUR

representation embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 50440
from the US: mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152
telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000
FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

Flag 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white

description: (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent
and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based
on the flag of the US

KELUARGA
DALAM
MASYARAKAT ISLAM
Ber-keluarga adalah fitrah setiap manusia. Maka tatkala kaum wanita Barat meneriakkan NOMAR ( No
Married ) dan DINK ( Double Income No Kids ) hancurlah sendi-sendi keluarga di sana. Majalah Times ( edisi
28 Juni 1983 ) mengungkapkan bahwa 40 % dari seluruh anak-anak di AS yang lahir antara tahun 1970-1984
menghabiskan masa kanak-kanak mereka tampa kasih sayang orang tua -karena orang tua mereka bercerai atau
karena orang tua mereka ( memang ) tidak pernah menikah. Majalah Fortune ( edisi 2 September 1995 )
mengungkapkan banyaknya wanita eksekutif di Barat yang mengalami stress. Mereka merasakan kekecewaan,
ketidak puasan dan kekhawatiran , sehingga hidup dan jiwa mereka menjadi kacau. Bahkan umumnya mereka
mengalami perceraian dan gangguan hubungan sosial dalam keluarga. Lebih jauh lagi, Jurnal The Economist
edisi September 1995 memberitakan fakta bahwa di negara Eropa Utara, institusi keluarga tengah mengalami
keruntuhan. Di Swedia dan Denmark, setengah dari bayi-bayi- lahir- dari ibu yang tidak menikah. Setengah dari
perkawinan di Swedia dan Norwegia berakhir dengan perceraian, dan orang tua yang tidak menikah lagi karena
sudah bercerai tiga kali lebih banyak dari jumlah perkawinan. Akibatnya jumlah orang tua tunggal meningkat
sampai 18 % pada tahun 1991. Istilah single parent ( orang tua tunggal ) dan nuclear family ( keluarga inti ;
yang hanya terdiri dari ayah dan ibu ) menggambarkan betapa sepi dan keringnya fungsi kekeluargaan dalam
masyarakat modern ( Barat ). Dari Dokumen Rencana Aksi pada saat Konferensi Beijing yang lalu ( 1995 )
membuktikan kesuksesan tuntutan para ‘feminist’ yang menginginkan kebebasan bagi para wanita dalam
menentukan bentuk dan komposisi keluarga ( apakah orang tua tunggal atau orang tua dari pasangan sesama
wanita ) , kebebasan orientasi seksual ( apakah heteroseksual ataupun homo seksual ) dan kebebasan reproduksi
( punya anak atau tidak ). Serta masih banyak lagi suara sumbang kaum ‘feminist’ yang memporak porandakan
dan menjungkir balikkan konsep keharmonisan keluarga dalam suatu masyarakat. Dan karena semua itu adalah
suara kebebasan yang tercetus dari ide kapitalisme ( yang rusak ) maka tidaklah terlalu mengherankan apabila ‘
gerakan ‘ tersebut mengakibatkan krisis nilai-nilai keluarga bagi masyarakat manapun yang menerapkan ide
tersebut !
KELUARGA DALAM MASYARAKAT ISLAM
Perkawinan dari sudut pandang Islam merupakan sistem peraturan dari Allah SWT yang mengandung karunia
yang besar dan hikmah yang agung. Melalui perkawinan dapat diatur hubungan laki-laki dan wanita ( yang
secara fitrahnya saling tertarik ) dengan aturan yang khusus. Dari hasil pertemuan ini juga akan berkembang
jenis keturunan sebagai salah satu tujuan dari perkawinan tersebut. Dan dari perkawinan itu pulalah terbentuk
keluarga yang diatasnya didirikan peraturan hidup khusus dan sebagai konsekuensi dari sebuah perkawinan.
Islam telah memerintahkan dan mendorong untuk melakukan pernikahan. Diriwayatkan dari Ibnu Mas’ud ra
yang berkata bahwasanya Rosulullah SAW bersabda :
" Wahai para pemuda, barang siapa diantara kamu telah mampu memikul beban, maka hendaklah ia kawin,
karena dengan menikah dapat menundukkan pandangan dan menjaga ke’hormatan’, dan barang siapa
yang belum mampu hendaklah ia berpuasa, karena dengan puasa itu dapat menjadi perisai"
Dari pertemuan antara wanita dan pria inilah kemudian muncul hubungan yang berkait dengan kemaslahatan
mereka dan kemaslahatan masyarakat tempat mereka hidup dan juga hubungannya dengan negara. Hal ini
mengingat ciri khas pengaturan Islam ( syariat Islam ) atas manusia selalu mengaitkannya dengan masyarakat
dan negara. Sebab definisi dari masyarakat sendiri adalah ‘ Kumpulan individu ( manusia ) yang terikat oleh
pemikiran, perasaan dan aturan ( sistem ) yang satu ( sama )’ 5). Hal ini berarti dalam sebuah masyarakat mesti
ada interaksi bersama antar mereka yang terjadi secara terus menerus dan diatur dalam sebuah aturan yang fixed.
Rosulullah SAW telah menjelaskan status dan hubungan individu dengan masyarakat dengan sabdanya :
" Perumpamaan orang-orang Muslim , bagaimana kasih sayang yang tolong menolong terjalin antar
mereka, adalah laksana satu tubuh. Jika satu bagian merintih merasakan sakit, maka seluruh bagian tubuh
akan bereaksi membantunya dengan berjaga ( tidak tidur ) dan bereaksi meningkatkan panas badan
( demam ) "
( HR Muslim )
Oleh karena itu , Islam memandang individu-individu, keluarga, masyarakat dan negara sebagai umat yang satu
dan memiliki aturan yang satu. Di mana dengan peraturan dan sistem nilai tersebut, manusia akan dibawa pada
kehidupan yang tenang, bahagia dan sejahtera.
Syariat Islam sebagai aturan bagi individu muslim, keluarga, masyarakat dan negaranya, secara unik dan pasti
dapat diterapkan di tengah kehidupan masyarakat manapun . Penerapan aturan tersebut tentu saja saling
berkaitan antara satu dengan yang lainnya. Jaminan terlaksananya penerapan syariat Islam dilandasi oleh
beberapa asas di bawah ini : 6)
Apakah yang diperlukan dalam diet atlet remaja?
Atlet remaja perlukan:
• Tenaga yang mencukupi untuk menyokong pertumbuhan dan perkembangan yang
normal serta aktiviti fizikal.
• Karbohidrat yang mencukupi untuk menyimpan bekalan tenaga.
• Protein yang mencukupi untuk pertumbuhan tetapi tidak berlebihan kerana ianya
boleh meningkatkan risiko dehidrasi
• Air yang mencukupi untuk mengelakkan dehidrasi dan meningkatkan stamina.
• Lemak yang mencukupi tetapi tidak berlebihan.
• Pelbagai buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran untuk membekalkan vitamin dan
mineral yang diperlukan untuk pertumbuhan dan prestasi (contoh: zat besi dan
vitamin-vitamin B).
• Pelbagai sumber kalsium dan vitamin D untuk memastikan tulang sihat.
• Makanan yang kaya dengan zat besi untuk mencegah anemia yang boleh
mengurangkan stamina dan tahap pencapaian.
• Pelbagai jenis makanan mengikut keperluan kalori anda.
Berikut adalah contoh menu untuk seorang atlet remaja yang memerlukan 2500 kcal sehari:
Waktu Makan Contoh Menu
2 keping roti dengan marjerin
1 biji telur
Sarapan ½ cawan bijirin sarapan
1 potong betik
1 gelas susu rendah lemak

Minum Pagi 2 keping karipap

Makan Tengah Hari
1 gelas susu soya
2 cawan nasi
1 ketul ayam / ikan
1 mangkuk sup sayur campur + tauhu
1 cawan daun salad dan timun
1 gelas air kosong
1 biji pisang

Minum Petang 1 cawan bubur kacang hijau

1 cawan teh
1 mangkuk mi sup (dengan ayam / daging, bebola ikan dan sayur-
Makan Malam sayuran)
1 potong jambu batu
1 gelas air kosong

Minum Malam 3 – 6 keping biskut

1 gelas susu rendah lemak

Apakah corak pengambilan makanan yang sesuai sebelum sesuatu acara sukan?

Tujuan utama pengambilan makanan sebelum sesuatu acara sukan adalah untuk mengelakkan
rasa lapar sebelum atau semasa latihan atau pertandingan, serta mengekalkan paras optimum
glukosa dalam darah.

• Sasaran utama pemakanan adalah untuk menyediakan makanan yang

tinggi karbohidrat terutamanya karbohidrat kompleks, jumlah protein yang
sederhana dan sedikit lemak.
• Jumlah makanan yang perlu dimakan bergantung kepada tempoh masa
yang ada sebelum acara sukan itu bermula.
• Berikut adalah contoh corak pengambilan makanan yang boleh diikuti:

Hidangan /Snek Selang masa Contoh

½ - 1 jam sebelum 1-2 keping roti
Snek
Air kosong
Hidangan ringan 2 - 4 jam sebelum 1 set sandwic tuna
1 potong betik
 Air kosong
�½ - 2 cawan nasi
1 ketul ayam / ikan bakar
Hidangan berat 4 - 5 jam sebelum �½ cawan sayur yang dimasak atau 1
cawan sayur mentah
Jus Oren

Apakah diet yang dicadangkan selepas sesuatu acara?

• Glikogen di dalam otot dapat diganti dengan optimum dengan memakan
atau meminum sumber yang tinggi karbohidrat sejurus selepas sesi
latihan, dan sekali lagi 2 jam kemudian. Ini bermakna anda perlu minum
minuman yang tinggi karbohidrat sejurus selepas latihan dan makan
hidangan yang tinggi karbohidrat dalam tempoh 2 jam selepas itu.
Adakah atlet remaja memerlukan protein tambahan?
Berdasarkan Saranan Keperluan Nutrien Malaysia (Recommended Nutrient
Intake Malaysia, RNI), saranan keperluan protein untuk remaja adalah antara 1.0
hingga 1.2 g bagi setiap kilogram berat badan sehari.
• Atlet yang baru memulakan program latihan perlu mengambil 1.0 hingga
1.5 g protein bagi setiap kilogram berat badan sehari sementara atlet
yang menyertai acara lasak memerlukan antara 1.2 hingga 1.4 g protein
bagi setiap kilogram berat badan sehari. Contohnya, jika berat badan anda
adalah 60 kg dan anda baru memulakan latihan, anda memerlukan 60 –
90 g protein sehari. Pengambilan 2 gelas susu, 2 hingga 3 ketul ikan /
ayam, 2 keping keju, 2 potong tauhu dan 1 cawan kekacang sehari boleh
memenuhi keperluan protein anda.
• Perlu diingatkan bahawa mengambil protein yang melebihi jumlah yang
disarankan tidak akan menjadikan otot anda lebih besar atau kuat.
Malahan dengan mengambil protein melebihi jumlah tenaga yang
diperlukan akan menyebabkan protein disimpan sebagai lemak, bukannya
otot. Protein yang berlebihan, sama ada diambil melalui makanan atau
suplemen makanan, akan menyebabkan dehidrasi serta meningkatkan
berat badan. Dalam masa yang sama ia akan meningkatkan kehilangan
kalsium dari badan.
Mengapa air penting bagi atlet remaja?
• Air memainkan peranan yang kritikal dalam pemeliharaan kesihatan dan
prestasi yang optimum atlet remaja.
• Salah satu fungsi air yang sangat penting adalah untuk menyejukkan
badan. Semasa anda bersukan, otot yang bekerja akan menghasilkan
tenaga dan ini akan meningkatkan suhu badan. Peningkatan suhu badan
akan menyebabkan badan anda berpeluh dan apabila peluh ini sejat,
badan anda akan berasa sejuk. Sekiranya peluh yang keluar ini tidak
diganti dengan meminum air dengan banyak, imbangan air di dalam
badan akan terganggu dan menyebabkan dehidrasi.

Berapakah jumlah air yang diperlukan untuk mengelakkan dehidrasi ?

• Jadual di bawah memberikan saranan am pengambilan air untuk
mengelakkan dehidrasi. Walau bagaimanapun, saranan ini mungkin
berbeza, bergantung kepada suhu persekitaran, kelembapan dan jenis
sukan.
Masa Jumlah Air
1-2 jam sebelum acara 300-400 ml air sejuk (100C-220C)
10-15 minit sebelum acara 300-350 ml air sejuk
Semasa latihan 100-200 ml air sejuk
Selepas latihan 350.700 air sejuk
Adakah atlet remaja memerlukan suplemen vitamin dan mineral?
Walaupun suplemen vitamin dan mineral boleh memperbaiki status pemakanan
seseorang yang mengambil hidangan yang kurang kandungan nutrien, tiada
data saintifik yang menyokong penggunaan suplemen makanan secara am untuk
meningkatkan prestasi atlet.

• Suplemen vitamin dan mineral mungkin akan memberi kepercayaan yang

salah, di mana peningkatan prestasi akan dikaitkan dengan suplemen dan
bukannya atas usaha serta latihan gigih yang dilakukan.
• Dapatkan nasihat doktor sebelum membuat keputusan untuk mengambil
sebarang jenis suplemen makanan.
Rujukan:
Jamie Stang, Mary Story, 2005. Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services. Center for Leadership, Education
and Training in Maternal and Child Nutrition, University of Minnesota. Page 1 - 206.