Menteri Besar

The Menteri Besar (Malay: "grand minister") is the chief executive of the state government for one of Perlis, Johor, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan in Malaysia—that is, all states with royal rulers. In other states without a monarch, the title Ketua Menteri (Chief Minister) is used. "Menteri Besar" is often untranslated in the local English press.

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, it was Johor which became the first state to create the Menteri Besar position as subject to Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor (Johor State Establishment Constitution) enforced by Sultan Abu Bakar which made Johor the first Malay state to adopt the constitutional monarchy system. After the country achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, the office became elective, with the leader of the biggest party in the state legislative assemblies assuming that post.

As a matter of protocol, all Menteri Besars and Chief Ministers are styled Yang Amat Berhormat, or abbreviated as Y.A.B., which means The Most Honourable. In the states with a Malay monarch, the office comes immediately after the Royal House and takes precedence over other subjects in that state. As for Sarawak, Sabah, Penang and Melaka, the Chief Minister comes immediately after the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, or Governor, and their consort.

Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers

List of Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers of Malaysian States: