The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the elected head of government of Malaysia. He is formally appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia, and is invariably the leader of the largest party in the federal House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), that is, the elected lower house of Parliament. Since independence in 1957 the prime minister has been from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the largest component party of the Barisan Nasional or National Front (known as Perikatan (Alliance)) up until the 1969 general elections).
Worry has been expressed that Malays, whether from UMNO or Parti Islam SeMalaysia, will prevent a non-Bumiputra (such as a Malaysian Chinese) from becoming Prime Minister. However, the government has repeatedly assured the public that the constitution does not mandate that the Prime Minister must be a Bumiputra.
The current and fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia is Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
List of Prime Ministers of Malaysia
