Malaysia
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- August 31, 1957, amended several times, last in 2007
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law; legislative acts reviewed by the Supreme Court; Islamic law applies to Muslims in family and religious matters
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate (Dewan Negara) and House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- civil courts include: Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts; Sharia courts include Sharia Court of Appeal, High Sharia Court, and subordinate Sharia tribunals. Sharia court decisions cannot be appealed in civil courts
RELIGIONS
60% Muslims, 19% Buddhists, 9% Christians, 6% Hindus, other
From the country
- APRIL 12, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder, rape, drug crimes, treason and possession of arms.
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder, rape, drug crimes, treason and possession of arms.
- MARCH 30, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Mohamad Sofri Che Ani, was sentenced to death by the...
Mohamad Sofri Che Ani, was sentenced to death by the Malaysian High Court for trafficking in 3,632gm of cannabis
- FEBRUARY 11, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Hamsir Md Rashid, a 32-year-old postman, was sentenced...
Hamsir Md Rashid, a 32-year-old postman, was sentenced to death by the Malaysian High Court after he was found guilty of trafficking in 366
- JANUARY 28, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The Malaysian Cabinet gave the green light for the...
The Malaysian Cabinet gave the green light for the amendment of Section 376 of the Penal Code in order to allow the imposition of mandatory death sentences for rapists who cause the death of their victims
- JANUARY 19, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The relevant Malaysian authorities must find alternative...
The relevant Malaysian authorities must find alternative actions to supersede capital punishment imposed for certain crimes in the country, Parliamentary Secretary to the National Unity and Social Development Ministry Datuk Veerasingam said
- JANUARY 1, 2004MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Zarimy Ahmad, 22, and Azrul Ahmad, 23 charged with...
Zarimy Ahmad, 22, and Azrul Ahmad, 23 charged with murdering a factory manager in 2000, escaped the gallows after the Malaysian High Court found them guilty of a lesser charge
- DECEMBER 30, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
The High Court sentenced to death a 28-year-old father...
The High Court sentenced to death a 28-year-old father of three after finding him guilty of murdering a 30-year-old waiter
- DECEMBER 11, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Low Soo Song, a 51 year old unemployed man, was sentenced...
Low Soo Song, a 51 year old unemployed man, was sentenced to death by the Malaysian High Court for discharging a shot from a firearm while committing robbery
- NOVEMBER 11, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
A total of 121 death row convicts were awaiting execution...
A total of 121 death row convicts were awaiting execution in prisons nationwide, the Malaysian Senate was told
- OCTOBER 29, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
M. Kathavarayan, 54, was sentenced to death by the...
M. Kathavarayan, 54, was sentenced to death by the Malaysian High Court for trafficking 937.8g of cannabis
- OCTOBER 29, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he rejected...
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he rejected Islamic criminal laws prescribing amputations and death by stoning introduced by the hardline Islamic Party in the country's north-eastern Terengganu state
- SEPTEMBER 26, 2003MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
Singapore executed two convicted Malaysian heroin traffickers...
Singapore executed two convicted Malaysian heroin traffickers despite protests by human rights group Amnesty International