POLITICS AND

GOVERNANCE
IN SOUTHEAST
ASIA
Arellano University
Cabodil | Serdeña | Rodriguez | Berba
 MALAYSIA

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Hist

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 MALAYSIA
Situated at the Strait of
Malacca, the shortest
sea route between East
Africa, the Persian Gulf,
and China.
In the 1950s, a human skull was
found in the Malaysian state of
Sarawak that dates back to around
40,000 years ago.
The hypothesis of when civilization
began in the area comes about
10,000 years ago or 8,000 BC.
A few hundred years BC, the
influence of both China and India
became apparent as trade began
with the neighboring territories and
the religions of Buddhism and
Hinduism made their way into the
Malaysian region.
When the 7th century came around, the
Srivijaya from Sumatra took control of a
large part of the contemporary Malay
peninsula. The ruling trade-based empire
gained power and prosperity through their
trade success with China and India which
was made easily accessible by the
possession of the Malacca Strait, giving them
easy access to the Indian ocean from the
South China sea.
By the 13th century they have lost all reign
over the region, and were replaced by a new
type of monarchy, one run by Iskandar Shah.
Prince Iskandar Shah thought by some
scholars to also be known as Parameswara,
founded the port of Malacca, which became
an integral piece of the Malay territory. By this
point, trade between Malacca, the Chinese,
Indians and now Arabs continue to grow, and
the Islamic faith spread through the realm.
However, in 1511, Malacca fell to the
Portuguese. The Malaccan Sultan
managed to found a new kingdom
known as Johor. Despite several
attempts to remove the Europeans from
the city by Malay-Muslim rulers, it was the
Dutch East India Company with its local
allies who finally wrested Malacca from
the Portuguese in 1641.
With growing trade participation from
China, India, and Arab nations, the British
were becoming progressively involved
in the region as well. British influence
began to expand over peninsular
Malaysia from the late 18th century
onwards, initially through trade and then
the takeover of Penang in 1786 and
Singapore in 1819.
The British-Dutch Treaty of 1824 gave
control over Malacca to Britain, who
merged it with Penang and Singapore to
become “Strait Settlements,” governed
directly by the British Crown until 1946.
By 1946, nationalist movements such as
the establishment of the United Malays
National Organization grew enough to
props the founding of the federation of
Malaya, a unity of the formerly British
controlled Malayan states which gained
their independence from the British in
1957.
IN 1963, THE BRITISH COLONIES OF SARAWAK, SINGAPORE,
AND NORTH BORNEO DECIDED TO JOIN THE FEDERATION
FORMING THE NATION OF MALAYSIA, THOUGH SINGAPORE
WAS ORIGINALLY A PART OF THIS COALITION, IT WAS
EXPELLED IN 1965 DUE TO POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS
WITH THE UNION.
CONSTITUTIONAL
EVOLUTION
British rule has influenced the
constitutional history of Malaysia to a
large extent. In 1956, the British
authorities and a Malayan delegation
consisting of the elected Malay
government and traditional rulers,
agreed to establish the so-called Reid
Commission responsible for drafting the
constitution of the Federation of Malaya.
 The constitution comprises 14 parts, 183 articles, and 13
schedules.
In its current form the constitution is made up of 15 parts.
 IF SOMEONE DISAGREES ON A CERTAIN PROVISION WITHIN THE
CONSTITUTION, THE COURTS HAVE THE POWER TO DETERMINE HOW
SAID PROVISION IS INTERPRETED. THE FEDERAL COURT’S DECISION ON A
PARTICULAR INTERPRETATION WILL BE BINDING FOR EVERYONE, UNLESS
THIS IS OVERTAKEN BY A SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL COURT DECISION, THIS
MEANS THAT AN INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION MAY STILL
CHANGE OVERTIME.
 SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT
Malaysia is a constitutional elective monarchy with
a federal state parliamentary system of
government. Legislative authority rests with the
parliament and the legislative assemblies of the
constituent states while executive authority lies in
the head of state and the cabinet led by the Prime
minister. Malaysia’s system of government is
executive-heavy and concentrates power in the
Office of the Prime Minister, who dominates the
legislative process through his parliament majority.
MALAYSIA’S HEAD OF STATE IS THE KING (YANG DI-PERTUAN
AGONG). HE IS ELECTED AMONG THE NINE TRADITIONAL
MALAYSIAN RULERS FOR A TERM OF 5 YEARS.
UPON RECOMMENDATION BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE KING APPOINTS THE
CABINET MINISTERS, THEIR DEPUTIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE JUDGES
OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF MALAYSIA, THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE
ARMED FORCES, AND THE GOVERNORS FOR ALL CONSTITUENT STATES
WITHOUT A TRADITIONAL RULER ON THE REQUEST OF THE CHIEF MINISTER
CONGRESS
MALAYSIA HAS A BICAMERAL PARLIAMENT, CONSISTING
OF A 222-MEMBER DEWAN RAKYAT AND A 70-MEMBER
DEWAN NEGARA. .
 THE MEMBERS OF THE LOWER HOUSE ARE
DIRECTLY ELECTED IN A SINGLE MEMBER
CONSTITUENCIES FOR A 5-YEAR TERM AND BY-
ELECTIONS ARE HELD IN CASE A MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT CANNOT FULFILL HIS OR HER TERM
AND THERE ARE STILL MORE THAN 2 YEARS UNTIL
THE NEXT SCHEDULED GENERAL ELECTION
 IN THE SENATE, THE 13 STATE
ASSEMBLIES EACH ELECT TWO
SENATORS, WHERE AS THE PRIME
MINISTER NOMINATES THE
REMAINING 44 SENATORS WHO
ARE APPOINTED BY THE KING FOR
A 3-YEAR TERM. THE
CONSTITUTION MANDATES THAT
CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTED
POSITIONS ARE EITHER
INDIVIDUALS WITH PROVEN
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, A
GOOD TRACK RECORD, SPECIAL
SKILLS, OR REPRESENT IMPORTANT
SOCIETAL GROUPS.
LEGAL/JUDICIAL SYSTEM

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LEGAL/JUDICIAL SYSTEM

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 LAOS
orical
Hist

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oun
d
- The Democratic People's Republic of Lao is one of the five
communist single party regimes in the world.
- In 1975, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party took over the
power.
- In 1354, the Kingdom of Lan Xang was founded and was the
precursor of modern Laos.
- During 1707/13, Lan Xang was divided into kingdoms namely the:
Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak.
- in March 1945, Japanese Imperial Army took direct control over
Laos, with the rest of French Indochina.
- In October 1945, Lao Issara declared the sovereign called "Lao
Nation" or the pathet Lao.
- In 1946. French troops controlled the country.
- In 1949, Laos was declared as a self-governing costitutional
monarchy with in the French Union in 1949.
- November 1953, Laos however gained full sovereignty.
- In the year 1955, the Lao People's Revolutionary Republic was
founed but then renamed in the year 1972.
- In 1973, Under the Paris Peace Accord a ceasefire happened
between the royal government ang Pathet Lao that has resulted
to a government of national unity.
- Since 1975, the LPRP had ruled without a constitutional basis.
- In 1991, it was fully institutionalized its reign by promulgating a
constitution.
 3 CHALLENGES THAT LPRP FACES:
1.Economic 2. Opaque 3. Major
Transformation decision - Institutional

making Reforms.
procedures and

weak
government
revenues.

CONSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
 3 CONSTITUTIONS OF LAOS:
1. In 1945, 2. The 1947 3. 1991
provisional constitution constitution
constitution was was
for the
promulgated by
Kingdom of extensively
various
Laos was ammended in
nationalist group
led by Lao Issara. drafted. 2003, and then
again in 2015.
The constitution has a total length of less than
5,000 words.
It mainly serves as manual and a blueprint that
provide guidance.
The text consists of 11 chapters and 98 Articles
Retains elements of fro earlier laotian
constitutions, including the importance of
Buddhism.
Lao constitution bears resemblance with
democratic constitutions.
 Art. 1-12, 3-30 Art. 31-33 ; ART. 34-51
Provies the basis of the political Art. 31-33 : Deals with national
system nd the socioeconomic defense and security
order. Art. 34-51 : Fundamental rights
and obligations of citizens.

Art. 52-64 ; Art. 65-74 Art. 75-78 ; Art. 79 - 86

Art. 52 - 64 :Addresses the Art. 75 - 78 : The local
Legislature government
Art. 65 - 74 : The president and Art. 79 - 86 : The judiciary
the government.
PURPOSE OF LAO
CONSTITUTION:
Legal tool to consolidate the party's claim on sociopolitical
leadership.
Content gives some indication about the actual distribution of
authority in the political system and serves as an "operating manual."
Its formal regulations concerning the system of government and the
relationship of the legislature, exicutive, and judiciary reamin of
secondary importance.
The politics in laos remains De Facto;
follows the model of the socialist
party state.
SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT
Lao is a single party regime.
The LPRP has complete control and authority over politics.

The National Assembly (Supreme People's Assembly) is the

highest state body.
Its current member is 132 and were elected every 5 years.
It has legislative power and by 2/3 majority the state
president, the prime minister and the council of ministers.
BUT the total number of the National Assembly is 164
members (158 are LPRP, 6 independents), elected for a
five-year term
DUAL STRUCTURE IN LAOS
HEAD OF THE
STATE AND GOVT.
The highest position in the government, they
direct the country's executive branch.
The prime minister is accountable to the
president, the National Assembly and the
country's only legal party: the Lao People's
Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
 HEAD OF THE HEAD OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT
The head of state is President Thongloun The head of government is Prime Minister
Sisoulith, who is also the LPRP general Phankham Viphavanh.
secretary, making him the supreme leader The prime minister and the Council of
of Laos. Ministers are appointed by the president
The president is elected by the National with the approval of the National Assembly
Assembly for a five-year term. for a five-year term.
 FAMOUS THEATRICAL
PERFORMANCES

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REFERENCES
Introduction to Theater Arts by Samira Hadid

History of Performing Arts by Harper Russo

Drama & Music by Reese Miller

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