Q.
Explain by which a legislative bill becomes an act of parliament.
A.
Once the Cabinet approves the Bill, it is presented to the Cabinet and sent to Parliament for debate in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara where it has to be passed by a voice vote unless a member challenges the result and call for a division, whereby the votes are taken individually.
In the case of a Constitution (Amendment) Bill, voting has to be by division and can only be passed if a two-third majority votes “Aye”.
MPs can also try to table a motion for a Private Members Bill but this has yet to happen here.
The rules and conditions for such a bill are set out in the Parliament’s Standing Orders.
The time taken to pass a Bill – from its tabling for first reading to the debate after its third reading – can take from a few days to several months.
A Bill may originate in either of the House. However, there is one exception with the "Money Bill". Subject to Article 67 of the Federal Constitution, the "Money Bill" must originate in the House of Representatives and can only be introduced by a Minister.
The House, which a Bill is originated, shall send it to the other House once the Bill has been passed. After the other Houses passed the Bill, it must then be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his assent under the Article 66(3) of the Federal Constitution.
A Bill goes through several stages of "Reading", in both the Houses of Parliament. At the First Reading stage, only the long title will be read. This is a formality when the Bill is first introduced to the House. The most important stage is the Second Reading. The contents of the Bill are debated at length and discussed by all members of the House. After that the Bill goes through a Committee Stage. The committees is normally the Committee of the whole House as opposed to special select committees. Special technical details of the Bill may be discussed at this stage. Finally, the Bill is returned to the House for its Third Reading. Again this is a formality.
Under the Article 66(4) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must assent to the Bill by causing the Public Seal to be affixed thereto. This must be done within 30 days from the date a Bill is being presented to him.
The nation Constitution provides that a Bill will become law at the expiration of the 30 days period specified in the like manner as if he had assented thereto, should the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, for whatever reason, fails to give his assent to the Bill within the specified period.
A Bill assented by the Yang di-Pertuan shall become Law. However, no laws shall come into force until it has been gazetted or published under the Article 66(5) of the Federal Constitution.
Ref:
How a Bill becomes law. 2008 April 27, The Star Online from:
http://www.lawyerment.com/library/kb/Malaysian_Legal_System_and_Constitution/Legal_System_and_Theory/1000.htm