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MALAYSIA
Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parlimen / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Dewan Rakyat / House of Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Dewan Negara / Senate
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 majority 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 business - convenes sessions, in exceptional case only
- 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 and 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 functions - takes part in voting, only in the case of a tied vote

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