State Legislative Assemblies of Malaysia

A state legislative assembly (Malay: Dewan Undangan Negeri, DUN; also known simply as state assembly) is the legislative branch of the state governments of each of the 13 Malaysian states. Members of a state legislative assembly comprises elected representatives from single-member constituencies during state elections through the first-past-the-post system.

The assemblies have powers to enact state laws as provided for by the Constitution of Malaysia. The majority party in each assembly forms the state government, and the leader of the majority party becomes menteri besar (for states with hereditary rulers) or chief minister (for states without hereditary rulers) of the state. After the March 2008 general election, the Barisan Nasional coalition were the majority party in eight states, while the opposition won five states. In February 2009, BN regained Perak after 3 Pakatan Rakyat assembly members defected.

The state legislative assemblies are unicameral, unlike the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia. The hereditary rulers or Yang di-Pertua Negeri (governors) are vested with powers to dissolve their respective state legislative assemblies on the advice of the menteri besar or chief minister. Once dissolved, elections must be carried out within an interim period of sixty (60) days. Usually, state elections are held simultaneously with the federal parliamentary elections, with the exception of Sarawak, and before 2004, Sabah.

...
Wikipedia