SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the federal element - that is, the relations between the Centre and States - in the politics and government of Peninsula Malaysia. It attempts to do this by going beyond federalism as just a matter of constitutional law. For the Constitution provides only the formal boundaries within which several crucial components of the political structure operate - for example administrative organisations and political parties. These individually and in their interactions affect and are affected by the federal element of the political structure. Thus, the thesis focuses on four components of the political structure - Constitution, finance, administrative organisations and political parties (essentially one-party dominance). The Chapters have been organised to reflect these concerns. The examination of these components suggests two main characteristics of federalism in Peninsula Malaysia. First, the Federation is tightly organised and within it the Centre, initially placed in a strong position vis-a-vis the States, has been growing even stronger. Second, the impact of the Centre's dominance is uneven as between States. There seems to be no reason why, despite episodes of States resistance, the former tendency should not be maintained. The latter feature, however, is likely to be constant.