Malaysia States and Capitals List

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that is divided into 13 states and three federal territories. Here are the states and federal territories of Malaysia:

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country divided between Peninsular Malaysia and the island of Borneo. The country is made up of 13 states and 3 federal territories for administrative and political governance. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital, while Putrajaya serves as the federal administrative center.

The country includes tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, river systems, islands, coastal plains, and rapidly growing urban regions spread across mainland and island territories. Different states are known for manufacturing, oil and gas production, agriculture, tourism, technology industries, and cultural diversity.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Kuala Lumpur
  • Administrative capital: Putrajaya
  • Total population: 35,600,000 (Official estimate 2025)
  • Total area: 330,803 km² (127,724 sq miles)
  • Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
  • Bordering countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei
  • Total States and Federal Territories: 16
  • Total Districts: 140+

List of States and Federal Territories of Malaysia

Total administrative divisions shown: 16 | Combined population: 35,600,000 | Combined area: 330,803 km²

#State / Federal TerritoryCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1JohorJohor BahruPeninsular Malaysia19,1664,200,000
2KedahAlor SetarNorthern Peninsula9,5002,250,000
3KelantanKota BharuEast Coast Peninsula15,0992,050,000
4Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurFederal Territory2432,000,000
5LabuanVictoriaFederal Territory92110,000
6MalaccaMalacca CitySouthern Peninsula1,664980,000
7Negeri SembilanSerembanCentral Peninsula6,6861,250,000
8PahangKuantanEast Coast Peninsula36,1371,850,000
9PenangGeorge TownNorthern Peninsula1,0491,850,000
10PerakIpohNorthern Peninsula21,0352,650,000
11PerlisKangarNorthern Peninsula821270,000
12PutrajayaPutrajayaFederal Territory49125,000
13SabahKota KinabaluEast Malaysia73,9044,000,000
14SarawakKuchingEast Malaysia124,4502,950,000
15SelangorShah AlamCentral Peninsula8,1047,200,000
16TerengganuKuala TerengganuEast Coast Peninsula13,0351,350,000

Largest States by Area

  • Sarawak - 48,050 sq mi (124,450 km²)
  • Sabah - 28,534 sq mi (73,904 km²)
  • Pahang - 13,952 sq mi (36,137 km²)
  • Perak - 8,122 sq mi (21,035 km²)
  • Johor - 7,400 sq mi (19,166 km²)
  • Kelantan - 5,830 sq mi (15,099 km²)
  • Terengganu - 5,033 sq mi (13,035 km²)
  • Kedah - 3,668 sq mi (9,500 km²)

Most Populous States

  • Selangor - Population: 7,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Johor - Population: 4,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Sabah - Population: 4,000,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Sarawak - Population: 2,950,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Perak - Population: 2,650,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Kedah - Population: 2,250,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Kelantan - Population: 2,050,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Kuala Lumpur - Population: 2,000,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest States and Territories by Area

  • Putrajaya - 19 sq mi (49 km²)
  • Labuan - 36 sq mi (92 km²)
  • Kuala Lumpur - 94 sq mi (243 km²)
  • Perlis - 317 sq mi (821 km²)
  • Penang - 405 sq mi (1,049 km²)
  • Malacca - 642 sq mi (1,664 km²)

States by Regional Grouping

  • Central Peninsula: Negeri Sembilan, Selangor
  • East Coast Peninsula: Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu
  • East Malaysia: Sabah, Sarawak
  • Federal Territory: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya
  • Northern Peninsula: Kedah, Penang, Perak, Perlis
  • Peninsular Malaysia: Johor
  • Southern Peninsula: Malacca

Landlocked States and Territories

  • Putrajaya
  • Selangor (partially inland but with limited coastline)
  • Negeri Sembilan (partially inland with short coastline)

States and Territories with Coastline

  • Johor
  • Kedah
  • Kelantan
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Labuan
  • Malacca
  • Pahang
  • Penang
  • Perak
  • Perlis
  • Sabah
  • Sarawak
  • Selangor
  • Terengganu

States Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Thailand: Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Perak
  • Indonesia: Johor, Sabah, Sarawak
  • Brunei: Sarawak

Sources