The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the official title of the ceremonial governors of the Malaysian states without monarchs, namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. They are appointed to renewable four-year terms by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the federal head of state of Malaysia, after consulting the Chief Minister. A Yang di-Pertua Negeri is entitled to the style Tuan Yang Terutama, or in English, His Most Excellency. A Yang di-Pertua Negeri functions as a head of state in a parliamentary democracy. His discretionary roles include appointing the head of government, the Ketua Menteri or Chief Minister, and withholding consent to dissolve the state legislature. On all other matters, he must act on the advice of the Chief Minister, such as appointing the members of the state's Executive Council, conferring state honours and granting pardons for offences committed in his state. There are two major distinctions between the constitutional roles of the nine hereditary rulers and the four Yang di-Pertua Negeri. While the Yang di-Pertua Negeri are members of the Conference of Rulers, they cannot participate in the election of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, discussions related to the privileges of the Malay rulers and matters concerning the observance of Islam. In addition, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri does not function as the Head of Islam in their states; the role is fulfilled by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Before 1976, the heads of state of Penang, Malacca and Sarawak were titled Governor in English and Yang di-Pertua Negeri in Malay, whereas the head of state of Sabah was titled Yang di-Pertua Negara in both languages. Singapore had a Yang di-Pertuan Negara when it gained self-government under British sovereignty in 1959. The title was used by the state governor while Singapore was a part of Malaysia between 1963 and 1965, when it was expelled from Malaysia to become an independent republic. Since 1976 the heads of state of Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak have been titled Yang di-Pertua Negeri in both languages.
Current Yang di-Pertua Negeri
The following is a table of Yang di-Pertua Negeri of each state:
