States of Malaysia - Definition and Overview

Malaysian States and Federal Territories

Malaysia is divided into 13 states (negeri), and 3 federal territories (wilayah persekutuan) marked by a *. (Capital cities are in parentheses.)

Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia

• Johor (Johor Baharu)
• Kedah (Alor Setar)
• Kelantan (Kota Baharu)
• Kuala Lumpur* (Kuala Lumpur)
• Malacca (Malacca)
• Negeri Sembilan (Seremban)
• Pahang (Kuantan)
• Perak (Ipoh)
• Perlis (Kangar)
• Penang (George Town)
• Putrajaya* (Putrajaya)
• Selangor (Shah Alam)
• Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu)

East Malaysia in Borneo

• Labuan* (Victoria)
• Sabah (Kota Kinabalu)
• Sarawak (Kuching)

Rulers

The nine Malay states have a native titular Ruler (known as Sultan, Raja or Yang di-Pertuan Besar) and an executive Chief Minister or Menteri Besar. The rulers of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Terengganu are known as Sultans. Negeri Sembilan's ruler holds the title of Yang Dipertuan Besar. Perlis on the other hand is the only Malaysian state where the ruler is titled as Raja. The former British crown colonies of Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak each have a titular Governor (known as Yang DiPertua Negeri) and an executive Chief Minister.

History

Singapore was a Malaysian state from the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 until Singapore separated from the rest of Malaysia on 9 August 1965.

States and Federal Territories of Malaysia
States: Johor | Kedah | Kelantan | Malacca | Negeri Sembilan | Pahang | Perak | Perlis | Penang | Sabah | Sarawak | Selangor | Terengganu Federal Territories: Kuala Lumpur | Labuan | Putrajaya