Within Malaysia, the Malay states are the nine states of Peninsular Malaysia that have hereditary Rulers. In practice, these Rulers (titled Raja and Yang di-Pertuan Besar in Perlis and Negeri Sembilan respectively and Sultan elsewhere) are figureheads and follow the principles of constitutional monarchy. The nine Rulers of the Malay states elect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia from among their number. The Malay states are to be distinguished from the States of Malaya, which comprise the Malay states and the two former British settlements of Penang and Malacca, which do not have native Rulers, but are headed by titular Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governors) appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In a wider context, the term Malay states may cover the Sultanate of Brunei and the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla and Yala of Thailand. Before the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946, the Malay states were divided into the Federated Malay States (headed by a British High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur with a British Resident in each component state) and the Unfederated Malay States, each headed by the native Rulers but under the tutelage of a British Advisor.
