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.
- Federal
- National law and administration
- State
- State law and administration
- Local
- Municipal services
- Best first step
- Identify the authority
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.