Monarchies of Malaysia

A seal containing the coat of arms of the nine monarchical states, inscribed with the word "Great Seal of the Malay Rulers" (Written as "موهور بسر راج٢ نݢري ملايو" ) in Jawi script, displayed in the Royal Museum, Kuala Lumpur. Clockwise from top: Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Perlis.

The monarchies of Malaysia exist in each of the nine Malay states under the constitutional monarchy system as practised in Malaysia. The political system of Malaysia is based on the Westminster parliamentary system in combination with features of a federation.

Nine of the states of Malaysia are constitutionally headed by traditional Malay rulers, collectively referred to as the Malay states. State constitutions limit eligibility for the thrones to male Malay Muslims of royal descent. Seven are hereditary monarchies based on agnatic primogeniture: Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Perlis, Pahang, Selangor and Terengganu. In Perak, the throne rotates among three branches of the royal family loosely based on agnatic seniority. One state, Negeri Sembilan, is an elective monarchy; the ruler is elected from male members of the royal family by hereditary chiefs. All rulers, except those of Perlis and of Negeri Sembilan, use the title of Sultan. The ruler of Perlis is styled the Raja, whereas the ruler of Negeri Sembilan is known as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Every five years or when a vacancy occurs, the rulers convene as the Conference of Rulers (Malay: Majlis Raja-Raja) to elect among themselves the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the federal constitutional monarch and head of state of Malaysia.[1] As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected among the rulers,[2] Malaysia, as a whole, is also an elective monarchy.

  1. ^ Constitution of Malaysia:Article 38-2(b)
  2. ^ "Malaysia country brief". dfat.gov.au. September 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.