In Malaysia, the Menteri Besar (Jawi: منتري بسر‎; literally First Minister), colloquially referred to as MB, is the head of government of each of nine states in Malaysia with monarchs. For four states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister (Ketua Menteri; colloquially referred to as KM in Malay or CM in English), is used except for Sarawak where it uses Premier (Premier). The title "Menteri Besar" is usually untranslated in the English media in Malaysia,[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".

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

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 Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Besar, Ketua-Ketua Menteri dan Premier.[3]

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 principle 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[4] or enactment[5] that amended by the state legislative.

Present Menteris Besar, Chief Ministers and Premier

State Title Portrait Incumbent Party[lower-alpha 1] Term
 Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi BN (UMNO) 15 March 2022
1 year, 309 days
 Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor PN (PAS) 17 May 2020
3 years, 246 days
 Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Nassuruddin Daud PN (PAS) 15 August 2023
156 days
 Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh BN (UMNO) 31 March 2023
293 days
 Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun PH (PKR) 12 May 2018
5 years, 251 days
 Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail BN (UMNO) 15 May 2018
5 years, 248 days
 Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow PH (DAP) 14 May 2018
5 years, 249 days
 Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad BN (UMNO) 10 December 2020
3 years, 39 days
 Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli PN (PAS) 22 November 2022
1 year, 57 days
 Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor GRS (GAGASAN) 29 September 2020
3 years, 111 days
 Sarawak Premier Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg GPS (PBB) 13 January 2017
7 years, 5 days
 Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari PH (PKR) 19 June 2018
5 years, 213 days
 Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar PN (PAS) 10 May 2018
5 years, 253 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

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:
  2. ↑ Examples of the use of Chief Minister in place of Menteri Besar by non-local media:
  3. ↑ Cabinet, Constitution, and Inter-Government Relation Division
  4. ↑ "Laws of Sarawak - Chapter 68" (PDF). Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "State of Sabah - Legislative Assembly (Remuneration)" (PDF). Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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