Malaysia is a federation, which means power is shared between the federal government and the governments of the states. A state is commonly called a negeri in Malay. The Federal Constitution sets the main rules for this division of power. Malaysia has 13 states and three federal territories. The territories are Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, and they are administered directly by the federal government. States have their own political institutions and local identities. Nine states have hereditary rulers from the Malay royal families. The other states have a constitutional governor, called a Yang di-Pertua Negeri. The rulers and governors have formal constitutional duties, while elected governments manage most day-to-day politics. Each state has a legislative assembly, known as the Dewan Undangan Negeri, or DUN. People elect representatives to this assembly. The party or coalition with the support of most assembly members normally forms the state government. The head of a state government is usually called a Menteri Besar when the state has a ruler. In states with a governor, the head is usually called a Chief Minister, or Ketua Menteri. The head leads the executive council and coordinates state administration. State powers commonly include land, Islamic affairs for Muslims, local government arrangements and certain matters involving forests and natural resources. The exact division can vary, and federal law and institutions remain important in many areas. The federal government handles national matters such as defence, foreign affairs, citizenship, much of taxation, national economic policy and most education and health policy. State and federal authorities therefore need to cooperate on infrastructure, development and public services. Local councils operate within the state or federal territory system. They deal with practical matters such as local planning, public cleanliness, markets, roads under their control and some licences. Their structure and powers are not identical everywhere. For residents, the right authority depends on the problem. A land title, state religious matter or local planning issue may lead to a state department or council, while a passport, federal tax or national education matter normally belongs to a federal agency.
State in Malaysia
A state in Malaysia is called a negeri and has its own government for many local matters. Malaysia has 13 states and three federal territories, with different roles for federal and state authorities. This overview explains how Malaysian states are organised, led and connected to the federation.
Tip
When dealing with public administration in Malaysia, first identify whether your matter concerns land, religion, local services or a federal service. The state name, district and local council usually determine where your request should begin. Keep copies of forms, identity documents and written replies so you can track the case.