Heads of state governments of Malaysia

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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.