In Malaysia, the Menteri Besar is the head of government of each of nine states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers. For four states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister is used. The title 'Menteri Besar' is usually untranslated in the English media in Malaysia, but is typically translated as 'Chief Minister' by foreign media. According to protocol, all Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers are styled Yang Amat Berhormat, 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 Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers. 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 or Chief Ministers, whose executive council are collectively responsible to the assembly. Based on the Westminster system, given that he retains the confidence of the assembly, the Menteri's Besar or Chief Minister's term 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 or Chief Minister 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. 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 and Chief Minister usually come from the party which commands a majority in the state assembly.
Relations between the First Ministers, Chief Ministers and other levels of government
For many decades, the First Ministers and Chief Ministers met with each other and the Prime Minister at Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri.
Selection process
Eligibility
By comparison, the thirteen state constitutions 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. A Menteri Besar or Ketua Menteri 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 nine states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers, the Menteri Besar must be an ethnic Malay male who professes the religion of Islam and be a Malaysian citizen by birth. Only through royal consent can the office of Menteri Besar can be held by an individual who does not meet these criteria. For four states in Malaysia with governors, the office of Ketua Menteri is 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 is 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 of the state who is the appointing authority.
Oath
Since, according to the constitution, the Menteri Besar is appointed by the Ruler, the swearing-in is done before the Ruler of the state.
