Who is responsible?
Federal, state and local responsibility
Work out whether a Malaysian issue belongs primarily to federal government, state government or a local authority.Direct answer
Start with the institution that has legal or operational responsibility. Federal, state and local bodies have different powers, and an elected representative is not automatically the agency that delivers a service.
Example from your election context
Worked example
Starting a pothole complaint
Begin with the local authority or road agency responsible for the road and keep the service reference number. An MP or ADUN may help represent or escalate the matter, but does not replace the delivery agency.
Sources: Local Government Department; Ministry of Housing and Local Government
- Federal
- National law and administration
- State
- State law and administration
- Local
- Municipal services
- Best first step
- Identify the authority
Who handles what?
Three levels, different legal jobs
Start with the public body that has the power and operational responsibility, then use an elected representative for scrutiny or escalation.
- FederalNational law, defence, foreign affairs, major taxation, education and health.
- StateLand, forests, water and matters assigned to the State List.
- Responsibilities can overlapFunding, delivery and legal authority may sit at different levels.
- Local authorityWaste, drains, local roads, parks, markets, licensing and planning.
- Find the legal authorityA constituency representative is not automatically the service provider.
| Issue type | Likely starting level | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| National law and policy | Federal | Defence, foreign affairs, many national statutes |
| Land and state matters | State | Land administration and subjects in the State List |
| Municipal service | Local authority | Local complaints, assessment, licensing and municipal operations |
| Unclear or overlapping | Check the responsible agency | Some subjects involve concurrent or coordinated roles |
Sources: MyGovernment; Local Government Department; Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Representatives and service agencies are different
An MP or ADUN can represent, raise, question or help escalate an issue. The department, agency or PBT with the statutory function remains responsible for the operational decision or service.
- Contact the delivery body for a service request.
- Contact the relevant elected representative for representation, scrutiny or escalation.
- Keep a reference number and the source of any promised action.
Sources: Local Government Department; Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Why local authority boundaries matter
PBT boundaries do not necessarily align with parliamentary or DUN boundaries. InfoUndi's future Local help path will resolve these geographies separately rather than implying that one representative controls a municipal service.
Sources: Local Government Department; Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Common questions
Is every PBT under the federal ministry?
No. KPKT states that PBTs fall under their respective state governments, while federal bodies coordinate policy, advice and some funding.
Should I contact my MP for a pothole?
A local authority or relevant road agency is usually the operational starting point. An MP may help represent or escalate the issue if needed.
What if I do not know my PBT?
Use the official local-government directory while InfoUndi develops its boundary-based Local help finder.