Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and is governed under the
constitution of 1957 as amended. The sovereign (the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong) is a largely ceremonial head of state, and is
elected every five years by and from the nine hereditary rulers
of Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor,
Negeri Sembilan, and Johor. The current sovereign is Sultan
Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah. The prime minister is head
of government and must be a member and have the confidence of
the House of Representatives (Dewan Ra'ayat). The cabinet is
chosen by the prime minister with the consent of the sovereign.
There is a bicameral Parliament. The House of Representatives
consists of 219 members, all elected by popular vote in single-
member districts. The House sits for a maximum of five years but
may be dissolved by the sovereign. The Senate (Dewan Negara)
consists of 70 members chosen for three-year terms; each state
legislature elects two and the sovereign appoints the remaining
44. There is a high co