'State Council'; Jawi: ديوان نڬارا‎) is the upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia, consisting of 70 senators of whom 26 are elected by the state legislative assemblies, with two senators for each state, while the other 44 are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia), including four who are appointed to represent the federal territories.

However, the original constitution, which provided for a majority of state-elected senators, has since been modified to make the vast majority of senators instead appointed by the Agong, thus theoretically providing an avenue for a relatively non-partisan reconsideration of bills, more similar to the role of the British House of Lords.

[1] Federally appointed senators must have "rendered distinguished public service or have achieved distinction in the professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service or are representative of racial minorities or are capable of representing the interests of aborigines (Orang Asli)".

[2] The intent of the original Constitution of Malaysia, which provided for only 16 senators to be appointed by the King (thus placing them in the minority) was to give the states some say over federal policy.

Senators can be appointed to ministerial posts in the Cabinet by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister.

[6] The Dewan Negara may initiate legislation, except for financial and fiscal matters – a regulation directly from the Westminster system.

The Dewan Negara may not formally reject bills; it is only allowed to delay their passage by one month, or up to a year under certain circumstances.

If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong objects or 30 days pass without royal assent, the bill is sent back to Parliament with a list of suggested amendments.

If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong still does not grant royal assent 30 days after it is presented to him again, the bill automatically becomes law.