Politics in Malaysia

“Malaysia is made up of 13 states and three federal territories: Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Labuan and Putrajaya. Each state has an assembly and government headed by a chief minister. Nine of the 13 states have hereditary rulers (sultans), while the remaining four have appointed governors as do the federal territories. In a pre-established order, every five years one of the sultans takes his turn in the ceremonial position of ‘Yang di-Pertuan Agong’: the position of king.” (Richmond et al., 2007, pp. 41) The king is also the head of state and leader of the Islamic faith. Currently, the sultan of Terengganu is the king of Malaysia.
Malaysia’s current prime minister is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who heads up the Barisan Nasional, a coalition of the UMNO: the United Malays National Organisation and 13 other parties. The Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Kaedilan Rakyat and Parti Islam SeMalaysia are the main opposition parties. “There is a two house parliament, comprising a 70 member state (26 members elected by the 13 state assemblies, 44 appointed by the king on the prime minister’s recommendation) and a 219 member House of representatives elected from single member districts. National elections are held every five years” (Richmond et al., 2007, pp. 41).
I have not experienced so much of politics and interest in the king. I have been to Bangkok before I went to Malaysia, and when you arrive at the airport there are images of the king literally everywhere. There is a special day in the week when everyone where’s yellow clothing because that’s the ‘king’s colour’ and everyday at six pm the national anthem is played on the radio. In Malaysia I haven’t seen so much nationalism, except for ‘Merdeka’ (independence day). I will write about Merdeka later on.
I have been to the political heart of Malaysia: Putrajaya. Putrajaya is the new administrative centre of the federal government of Malaysia taking the capital city away from KL and leaving Kuala Lumpur as the country's financial and commercial capital (Putrajaya is situated near KL, about a 45 minute drive). Moving the national administrative machinery from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya is in line with the Government's policy to provide a more balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur. There are some amazing governmental buildings in Putrajaya (among them are the prime Ministers department, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of foreign affairs, the supreme court and an amazing mosque) which are open for the public as well. Controls before entering are strict though and you have to be decently dressed. These immense buildings are a good example of the way Malaysians wish to show themselves: as a nation that is developing rapidly. Picture 3 shows two of the imposing buildings in Putrajaya, the Putrajaya Mosque and the Prime Minister’s office.