What is Menteri Besar?

Literally, "big minister" in Malay, a Menteri Besar is a Chief Executive of the state governments of Perlis, Johor, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan in Malaysia—that is, all states with royal rulers.

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.