The Federal Constitution of Malaysia, 1963

The fundamental law defines Malaysia as a Federation consisting of the States of Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Trengganu. The parliament may, by law, admit other States to the Federation or alter the boundaries of a State provided with the consent of that State. The constitution provides for the religion of the Federation which is Islam, although other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation. 

The constitution also recognizes the fundamental liberties including:

• The right to life and personal liberty
• Freedom from unlawful detention, arbitrary arrest, slavery and forced labor
• Rights of an accused in a criminal case
• Right to equality before the law
• Freedom from discrimination on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law regarding property, trade, business, profession or employment
• Freedom of speech and expression, assembly and association
• Freedom of religion

It also defined the structure of the Federation, including the Supreme Head who heads the Executive branch of government. The Federal Legislature is the Parliament which is composed of the Head of State, the Houses of Parliament and House of Representatives. Finally, the judicial power of the Federation is vested into High Courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction and status, namely, the High Court of Malaya in Kula Lumpur, and the High Court of Borneo in the States of Sabah and Sarawak.