Explain the political system of Malaysia.

The political system of Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy, where the King serves as the ceremonial head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country follows a parliamentary democracy, with a multi-party system.

At the federal level, Malaysia has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (Senate). The Dewan Rakyat is made up of elected representatives, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), who are elected through a first-past-the-post system. The Dewan Negara, on the other hand, is composed of appointed members, including state representatives and individuals appointed by the King.

The King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is the constitutional monarch of Malaysia. The position of the King is rotated among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states every five years. While the King's role is largely ceremonial, he plays a significant role in the appointment of the Prime Minister and the dissolution of Parliament.

The executive power in Malaysia is vested in the Prime Minister, who is the head of government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the King from among the members of the Dewan Rakyat, usually the leader of the political party or coalition that commands the majority of seats in Parliament. The Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and is accountable to Parliament.

Malaysia has a multi-party system, with the two main political coalitions being the Barisan Nasional (National Front) and the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope). The Barisan Nasional, which had been in power for over six decades until 2018, is a coalition of several parties, with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) being the dominant party. The Pakatan Harapan, on the other hand, is a coalition of opposition parties that came into power in the 2018 general elections.

One distinctive feature of the Malaysian political system is the implementation of affirmative action policies known as the New Economic Policy (NEP). These policies aim to address socioeconomic disparities among the ethnic groups in Malaysia, particularly between the majority Malays and the minority Chinese and Indian communities. The NEP includes measures such as quotas for university admissions, government contracts, and employment opportunities to promote the economic advancement of the Malays.

In conclusion, the political system of Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The King serves as the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country follows a multi-party system, with the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Harapan being the main political coalitions. The implementation of affirmative action policies plays a significant role in addressing socioeconomic disparities among the ethnic groups in Malaysia.