Heads of state governments of Malaysia
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, while the rest in the federation are titled Chief Minister. Until 2022, the head of government of Sarawak was also styled as the Chief Minister, thereafter it was changed to 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 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 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
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 enforced by Sultan [Abu Bakar of Johor|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 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, chief ministers and premier met with each other and the prime minister at the Meeting of Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers.Selection process
Eligibility
By comparison, the thirteen state constitutions 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 assemblies of Malaysia|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, 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.