In addition to its extraordinary diversity and wide geographic distribution, perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Bahá’í community is its unity. Explicit teachings on the institutional framework of the Faith and a clear line of succession of leadership have protected the Bahá’í Faith from schism.   More than 100 years after the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, the single worldwide Bahá’í community is knit together by a network of divine institutions.  Bahá’u’lláh taught that in an age of universal education, there was no longer a need for a special class of clergy.  Instead, He provided a framework for administering the affairs of the Faith through a system of freely elected bodies in approximately 20,000 localities in more than 180 countries all over the world.  Its distinctive unity has been successful in resisting the perennial impulse of religions to break up into sects or factions.

The administrative system, which Bahá’u’lláh Himself specifically laid down and unequivocally established, functions in strict accordance with the interpretations of the authorized Interpreters of its holy scriptures.  By virtue of its divine character, has succeeded in maintaining the unity of the diversified and far-flung body of its believers and enabled them to launch, unitedly and systematically, enterprises across the globe, designed to extend its limits and consolidate its administrative institutions.

The Universal House of Justice - The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing body of the worldwide Bahá’í community.   Endowed by Bahá’u’lláh with the authority to legislate on all matters not specifically laid down in the Bahá’í scriptures, the House of Justice keeps the Bahá’í community unified and responsive to the needs and conditions of an evolving world. The supreme institution of the Bahá’í World is a nine-member entity elected every five years by the members of Bahá’í National Spiritual Assemblies.  The permanent seat of the Universal House of Justice is located at the Bahá’í World Centre on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.   

National Spiritual Assemblies - The National Spiritual Assemblies, currently 82 in number, are elected each year at National Conventions attended by elected delegates representing all the Bahá’ís in each country.  The National Spiritual Assembly provides resources and guidance for the spiritual and moral development of its Bahá’í community and supports the activities of the Bahá’í Faith internationally.  It engages in collaborative projects with other religious groups and non-governmental organizations, government and governmental agencies for the advancement of humanity.  

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Malaysia has its administrative headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.  This institution oversees the administrative affairs of the Bahá’ís in Malaysia, supervises a publishing trust and publishes several periodicals including a bi-monthly news magazine, the Bahá’í News Malaysia.   All costs associated with the activities of the Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í community of Malaysia are supported by voluntary contributions from the Bahá’ís only. 

Local Spiritual Assemblies - There are approximately 11,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies around the world, elected each year from among the adult believers in every locality where at least nine adult Bahá’ís reside.  Local Spiritual Assemblies minister to the needs of the local Bahá’í community -  organizing classes for the spiritual education of children and youth,  study classes, devotional programs, Holy Day observances, and supervising service projects.  The Assemblies are also responsible for conducting Bahá’í marriages and assisting in performing Bahá’í funeral rites for their believers.

There are approximately 300 Local Spiritual Assembly areas in Malaysia.

Counselling institutions – The elected Spiritual Assemblies make decisions affecting the life of the community. However, these decisions are profoundly influenced by the advice of a group of counselling institutions that are an inherent part of the Bahá’í Administrative Order.  Chosen for outstanding personal qualities and a mature understanding of the Faith, these individuals, men and women alike, are appointed to act as both advisors to the community’s decision-making bodies and as sources of encouragement and stimulation for the community and the individual members of the Faith.