Heads of state governments of Malaysia

Heads of government in Malaysia's many states take on various titles. Nine of the states in the Peninsular who each have historical monarchs are known as the Menteri Besar ^{[langnotes 1]} (Jawi: منتري بسر‎, literally Grand Minister or First Minister ; abbreviated as MB), while the rest in the federation are titled Chief Minister (abbreviated as CM; in Malay: Ketua Menteri; abbreviated as KM). Until 2022, the head of government of Sarawak was also styled as the Chief Minister, thereafter it was changed to Premier ( Premier ).

The nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states and the appointed governors of the other four states serve as constitutional and ceremonial heads of their states, while the state executive authority rests with the Menteris Besar, chief ministers and premier. Following elections to the state legislative assembly, the ruler or governor usually invites the party (or coalition) with a majority of seats to form the state government. The ruler or governor appoints and swears in the Menteri Besar, chief ministers and premier, whose executive council (or Cabinet in Sabah and Sarawak) are collectively responsible to the assembly. Based on the Westminster system, given that he retains the confidence of the assembly, the terms of Menteris Besar, chief ministers and premier can last for the length of the assembly's life—a maximum of five years. There are no limits to the number of terms that the Menteri Besar, chief minister and premier can serve.

Background

The Constitution of Johor

In most states within Malaysia, the office was created by the British colonial government in 1948, in tandem with the creation of the Federation of Malaya. However, Johor was the first state to create the Menteri Besar position, subject to Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor (Johor State Constitution) enforced by Sultan Abu Bakar. This had made Johor the first Malay state to adopt a system of constitutional monarchy. After Malaya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, the office bearer is appointed among the state legislative assembly members by the Sultans. The Menteri Besar, chief minister and premier usually come from the party (or coalition) which commands a majority in the state assembly.

Relations between the Menteris Besar, chief ministers, premier and other levels of government

For many decades, the first ministers (Menteri Besar), chief ministers (Ketua Menteri) and premier (Premier) met with each other and the prime minister at the Meeting of Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers ^[3] (Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Besar, Ketua-Ketua Menteri dan premier). ^[4]

Selection process

Eligibility

By comparison, the thirteen state constitutions (Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri or Perlembagaan Negeri) have some similarities and also some differences in setting the principal qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the Menteri Besar, chief minister and premier.

A Menteri Besar or Ketua Menteri or Premier must be a Malaysian citizen, of at least 21 years of age and a member of state legislative assembly who commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the assembly. Upon appointment, he shall not hold any office of profit and engage in any trade, business or profession that will cause conflict of interest.

For four states in Malaysia with governors (namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak), the office of Ketua Menteri and Premier are open to any Malaysian citizen regardless of their religion, ethnicity, and gender. However, citizens by naturalization or registration are still prohibited by state laws.

Election

The Menteri Besar, chief minister and premier are elected through a majority in the state legislative assembly. This is procedurally established by the vote of confidence in the legislative assembly, as suggested by the Ruler (or Governor) of the state who is the appointing authority.

Oath

Since, according to the constitution, the Menteri Besar is appointed by the ruler (or, in case of the chief minister and premier, the governor), the swearing-in is done before the ruler (or governor) of the state.

Remuneration

Remuneration of the Menteri Besar, chief minister, premier as well as other members of the executive council (or Cabinet) and members of the state legislative assembly are to be decided by the respective state legislatures. Hence this varies from state to state according to their ordinance ^[5] or enactment ^[6] that amended by the state legislative.

Present Menteris Besar, chief ministers and premier

Main article: List of current heads of states and governments of Malaysia

State	Title	Portrait	Incumbent	Party [a]		Term	Time Serving
Johor	Menteri Besar		Onn Hafiz Ghazi		BN (UMNO)	15 March 2022	3 years, 123 days
Kedah	Menteri Besar		Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor		PN (PAS)	17 May 2020	5 years, 60 days
Kelantan	Menteri Besar		Mohd Nassuruddin Daud		PN (PAS)	15 August 2023	1 year, 335 days
Malacca	Chief Minister		Ab Rauf Yusoh		BN (UMNO)	31 March 2023	2 years, 107 days
Negeri Sembilan	Menteri Besar		Aminuddin Harun		PH (PKR)	12 May 2018	7 years, 65 days
Pahang	Menteri Besar		Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail		BN (UMNO)	15 May 2018	7 years, 62 days
Penang	Chief Minister		Chow Kon Yeow		PH (DAP)	14 May 2018	7 years, 63 days
Perak	Menteri Besar		Saarani Mohamad		BN (UMNO)	10 December 2020	4 years, 218 days
Perlis	Menteri Besar		Mohd Shukri Ramli		PN (PAS)	22 November 2022	2 years, 236 days
Sabah	Chief Minister		Hajiji Noor		GRS (GAGASAN)	29 September 2020	4 years, 290 days
Sarawak	Premier		Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg		GPS (PBB)	13 January 2017	8 years, 184 days
Selangor	Menteri Besar		Amirudin Shari		PH (PKR)	19 June 2018	7 years, 27 days
Terengganu	Menteri Besar		Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar		PN (PAS)	10 May 2018	7 years, 67 days

1. This column names only the chief minister's party. The state government he heads may be a complex coalition of several parties and independents; those are not listed here.

Timeline

See also

• Opposition (Malaysia)

Notes

1. the title "Menteri Besar" is usually untranslated in local English media ^[1] but is typically translated as 'Chief Minister' by foreign media. ^[2] According to protocol, all Menteris Besar, Chief Ministers and Premier are styled Yang Amat Berhormat (abbreviated YAB), which means "The Most Honourable".

References

1. The following are examples of the use of Menteri Besar in
   • State media: "Badrul Hisham To Be Referred to Rights Committee After Sarawak Election: MB". Bernama. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
   • Newspapers: Lim, Louisa (9 April 2011). "That Effing Show: New twist to comedy". The Star (Malaysia) . Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
   • Internet news: Spykerman, Neville (8 July 2010). "Khalid remains Selangor Pakatan chief, says Anwar". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
   Distinction between Menteri Besar and Chief Minister in the same article:
   • "Why Old Timers in Opposition Have Not Stepped Down, Asks Shafie". Bernama. 9 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
   • Plural form: "Najib Chairs 108th Meeting Of Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers". Bernama. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
2. Examples of the use of Chief Minister in place of Menteri Besar by non-local media:
   • "Cleric: Women's Sexy Clothing Distracting Muslim Men From Sleep, Prayers". Fox News. 31 October 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
   • Brown, Kevin (23 August 2010). "Malaysia looks to ancient alternative currency – gold". Financial Times . Retrieved 12 April 2011.
3. Example of English translation of aforementioned conference: "PM Anwar Chairs 146th Meeting of Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers". Bernama. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
4. Cabinet, Constitution, and Inter-Government Relation Division
5. "Laws of Sarawak - Chapter 68" (PDF). Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
6. "State of Sabah - Legislative Assembly (Remuneration)" (PDF). Retrieved 28 September 2022.