Voting threshold
What a two-thirds majority means
Calculate a two-thirds seat threshold and understand why Malaysia's constitutional amendment votes use a higher bar than an ordinary majority.Direct answer
A two-thirds threshold is higher than an ordinary majority. In the 222-member Dewan Rakyat, two-thirds of the total membership is 148, while an ordinary outright majority is 112.
Sources: Parliament of Malaysia; Parliament of Malaysia; InfoUndi
Example from your election context
Worked example
Two legislatures, two thresholds
The 222-seat Dewan Rakyat needs 112 seats for an ordinary majority and 148 for two-thirds. A 56-seat assembly needs 29 seats for an ordinary majority and 38 for two-thirds.
Sources: Parliament of Malaysia; InfoUndi
- Dewan Rakyat seats
- 222
- Ordinary majority
- 112
- Two-thirds
- 148
- Key reference
- Article 159
Threshold calculator
Change the size of the legislature
Use total membership, not only occupied seats or members present.- Ordinary majority
- 112
- Two-thirds threshold
- 148
For a 222-seat legislature.
Why the denominator matters
For constitutional amendments governed by Article 159, the relevant wording can require support from not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of a House. This is not merely two-thirds of members who happen to vote.
- 222 total seats produces a threshold of 148.
- A 56-seat DUN produces a two-thirds threshold of 38.
- Special constitutional subjects can involve additional consent requirements.
Sources: Parliament of Malaysia; Parliament of Malaysia
A high threshold does not mean unlimited power
Reaching two-thirds answers the voting-threshold question for the relevant provision. It does not remove other constitutional procedures, legal limits or consent requirements that may apply.
Sources: Parliament of Malaysia; Parliament of Malaysia
Common questions
Is 148 always the two-thirds number?
It is the two-thirds threshold for a total membership of 222. A DUN or a differently sized chamber has a different number.
Is two-thirds the same as a simple majority?
No. A simple outright majority is more than half. Two-thirds is a higher threshold.
Why do news reports focus on two-thirds?
Many constitutional amendments require a supermajority, so coalition seat totals affect whether that threshold can be reached.