Malaysia subdivisions: states and districts in Rumi and Jawi

Malaysia's 13 states are divided into districts, called daerah in Malay, and in Sabah and Sarawak into divisions, bahagian. This list gives all 86 districts and 16 divisions with their seats, together with the states, capitals and ISO 3166-2 codes, each in Rumi and in Jawi script.

States and territories: 16
Groups: 1

Updated 5 November 2026

دائره

daerah Malay in Jawi for district

01 · Two scripts

Rumi and Jawi: reading the names

Malay is written in two alphabets, Rumi, the Latin one, and Jawi, which is based on Arabic, and every name below appears in both. A Jawi name is not a letter-for-letter copy of the Rumi. Short vowels often disappear, so Kedah becomes قدح and Melaka ملاك, and the letters Jawi adds to Arabic write the sounds Arabic lacks: ڠ for ng in كلواڠ (Keluang), چ for c in باچوق (Bachok), ڤ for p in ڤكن (Pekan), ݢ for g in سݢامت (Segamat) and ڽ for ny in كڽالڠ (Kenyalang).

The generic words come first and stay in Malay: Daerah Batu Pahat is دائره باتو ڤاهت and Bahagian Miri بهاݢين ميري. The seat is often the town that gives the district its name, but not always. Kuala Muda is governed from Petani, Kubang Pasu from Jitra, Pulau Langkawi from Kuah and Larut, Matang dan Selama from Taiping.

02 · States

The 13 states and 3 federal territories in Rumi and Jawi

The full Malay name of each state and federal territory in Rumi, the Latin alphabet, and in Jawi, the Arabic-based script, beside the capital in both scripts and the ISO 3166-2 code. The line under each code gives the letter code it replaced in 2003.

msa Malay in Rumi (Latin script)
msa-Arab Malay in Jawi (Arabic script), right to left

States and federal territories 16

Malaysia, ISO 3166-2:MY: 13 states and 3 federal territories in Rumi and Jawi
State	Jawi	Capital	Capital in Jawi	ISO 3166-2
Negeri Johor Darul Takzim	نݢري جوهر دارالتعظيم	Johor Baharu	جوهر بهارو	MY-01formerly MY-J
Negeri Kedah Darul Aman	نݢري قدح دارالامن	Alor Setar	الور ستر	MY-02formerly MY-K
Negeri Kelantan Darul Naim	نݢري كلنتن دارالنعيم	Kota Baharu	كوتا بهارو	MY-03formerly MY-D
Negeri Melaka Bandaraya Bersejarah	نݢري ملاك باندراي برسجاره	Melaka	ملاك	MY-04formerly MY-M
Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus	نݢري سمبيلن دارالخصوص	Seremban	سريمبن	MY-05formerly MY-N
Negeri Pahang Darul Makmur	نݢري ڤهڠ دارالمعمور	Kuantan	كوانتن	MY-06formerly MY-C
Negeri Pulau Pinang	نݢري ڤولاو ڤينڠ	Georgetown	جورجتاون	MY-07formerly MY-P
Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan	نݢري ڤيراق دارالرضوان	Ipoh	ايڤوه	MY-08formerly MY-A
Negeri Perlis Indera Kayangan	نݢري ڤرليس ايندرا كايڠن	Kangar	كاڠر	MY-09formerly MY-R
Negeri Selangor Darul Ehsan	نݢري سلاڠور دارالاحسن	Shah Alam	شاه عالم	MY-10formerly MY-B
Negeri Terengganu Darul Iman	نݢري ترڠݢانو دارالايمان	Kuala Terengganu	كوالا ترڠݢانو	MY-11formerly MY-T
Negeri Sabah Di Bawah Bayu	نݢري سابه د باوه بايو	Kota Kinabalu	كوتا كينابالو	MY-12formerly MY-SA
Negeri Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang	نݢري سراوق بومي كڽالڠ	Kuching	كوچيڠ	MY-13formerly MY-SK
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur	ولايه ڤرسكوتوان كوالا لومڤور	Kuala Lumpur	كوالا لومڤور	MY-14formerly MY-W
Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan	ولايه ڤرسكوتوان لابوان	Bandar Labuan	باندر لابوان	MY-15formerly MY-L
Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya	ولايه ڤرسكوتوان ڤوتراجاي	Putrajaya	ڤوتراجاي	MY-16added 2003

Codes: ISO 3166-2:MY on the ISO Online Browsing Platform and newsletter I-5 of 5 September 2003, as tabulated in Wikipedia's ISO 3166-2:MY, checked 28 October 2026; no change since 2003. The district list spells Kedah's title دارالامان where the state table has دارالامن.

03 · Districts

Districts and divisions of every state: 86 daerah and 16 bahagian

Each state is listed with its districts (daerah) or, in Sabah and Sarawak, its divisions (bahagian), each with its administrative seat, all in Rumi and Jawi. The three federal territories have no districts and appear only in the table above.

Johor 8

MY-01Capital Johor Baharu8 districts (daerah)Added since: Kulai and Tangkak districts

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Johor
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Batu Pahat	دائره باتو ڤاهت	Batu Pahat	باتو ڤاهت
Daerah Metropolitan Johor Baharu	دائره ميتروڤوليتن جوهر بهارو	Johor Baharu	جوهر بهارو
Daerah Kota Tinggi	دائره كوتا تيڠݢي	Kota Tinggi	كوتا تيڠݢي
Daerah Keluang	دائره كلواڠ	Keluang	كلواڠ
Daerah Mersing	دائره مرسيڠ	Mersing	مرسيڠ
Daerah Muar	دائره موار	Muar	موار
Daerah Pontian	دائره ڤونتيان	Pontian Kechil	ڤونتيان كچيل
Daerah Segamat	دائره سݢامت	Segamat	سݢامت

Kedah 11

MY-02Capital Alor Setar11 districts (daerah)Added since: Pokok Sena district; Pulau Langkawi is now listed as Langkawi

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Kedah
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Baling	دائره باليڠ	Baling	باليڠ
Daerah Bandar Baharu	دائره باندر بهارو	Bandar Baharu	باندر بهارو
Daerah Kota Setar	دائره كوتا ستر	Alor Setar	الور ستر
Daerah Kuala Muda	دائره كوالا مودا	Petani	ڤتاني
Daerah Kubang Pasu	دائره كوبڠ ڤاسو	Jitra	جيترا
Daerah Kulim	دائره كوليم	Kulim	كوليم
Daerah Padang Terap	دائره ڤادڠ ترڤ	Padang Terap	ڤادڠ ترڤ
Daerah Pendang	دائره ڤندڠ	Kuala Nerang	كوالا نرڠ
Daerah Pulau Langkawi	دائره ڤولاو لڠكاوي	Kuah	كواه
Daerah Sik	دائره سيق	Sik	سيق
Daerah Yan	دائره يان	Yan	يان

Kelantan 10

MY-03Capital Kota Baharu10 districts (daerah)In Kelantan a district is also called jajahan

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Kelantan
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Bachok	دائره باچوق	Bachok	باچوق
Daerah Gua Musang	دائره ݢوا موسڠ	Gua Musang	ݢوا موسڠ
Daerah Jeli	دائره جلي	Jeli	جلي
Daerah Kota Baharu	دائره كوتا بهارو	Kota Baharu	كوتا بهارو
Daerah Kuala Krai	دائره كوالا كراي	Kuala Krai	كوالا كراي
Daerah Machang	دائره ماچڠ	Machang	ماچڠ
Daerah Pasir Mas	دائره ڤاسير ماس	Pasir Mas	ڤاسير ماس
Daerah Pasir Putih	دائره ڤاسير ڤوتيه	Pasir Putih	ڤاسير ڤوتيه
Daerah Tanah Merah	دائره تانه مره	Tanah Merah	تانه مره
Daerah Tumpat	دائره تومڤت	Tumpat	تومڤت

Melaka 3

MY-04Capital Melaka3 districts (daerah)

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Melaka
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Alor Gajah	دائره الور ݢاجه	Alor Gajah	الور ݢاجه
Daerah Jasin	دائره جسين	Jasin	جسين
Daerah Melaka Tengah	دائره ملاك تڠه	Melaka	ملاك

Negeri Sembilan 7

MY-05Capital Seremban7 districts (daerah)

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Negeri Sembilan
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Jelebu	دائره جليبو	Jelebu	جليبو
Daerah Jempol	دائره جمڤول	Jempol	جمڤول
Daerah Kuala Pilah	دائره كوالا ڤيله	Kuala Pilah	كوالا ڤيله
Daerah Port Dickson	دائره ڤورت ديكسون	Port Dickson	ڤورت ديكسون
Daerah Rembau	دائره رمباو	Rembau	رمباو
Daerah Seremban	دائره سريمبن	Seremban	سريمبن
Daerah Tampin	دائره تمڤين	Tampin	تمڤين

Pahang 11

MY-06Capital Kuantan11 districts (daerah)

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Pahang
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Bentong	دائره بنتوڠ	Bentong	بنتوڠ
Daerah Bera	دائره برا	Bera	برا
Daerah Cameron Highlands	دائره كامرون هايلاندس	Tanah Rata	تانه رات
Daerah Jerantut	دائره جرنتوت	Jerantut	جرنتوت
Daerah Kuala Lipis	دائره كوالا ليڤيس	Kuala Lipis	كوالا ليڤيس
Daerah Kuantan	دائره كوانتن	Kuantan	كوانتن
Daerah Maran	دائره مارن	Maran	مارن
Daerah Pekan	دائره ڤكن	Pekan	ڤكن
Daerah Raub	دائره راوب	Raub	راوب
Daerah Rompin	دائره رومڤين	Bandar Baru Rompin	باندر بارو رومڤين
Daerah Temerloh	دائره تمرلوه	Temerloh	تمرلوه

Pulau Pinang 5

MY-07Capital Georgetown5 districts (daerah)

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Pulau Pinang
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Barat Daya	دائره بارت داي	Balik Pulau	باليق ڤولاو
Daerah Selatan	دائره سلاتن	Nibung Tebal	نيبوڠ تبل
Daerah Tengah	دائره تڠه	Bukit Mertajam	بوكيت مرتاجم
Daerah Timur Laut	دائره تيمور لأوت	Georgetown	جورجتاون
Daerah Utara	دائره اوتارا	Butterworth	باترورث

Perak 9

MY-08Capital Ipoh9 districts (daerah)Added since: Bagan Datuk, Kampar and Muallim districts

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Perak
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Batang Padang	دائره باتڠ ڤادڠ	Tapah	تاڤه
Daerah Hilir Perak	دائره هيلير ڤيراق	Teluk Irtan	تلوق ايرتن
Daerah Hulu Perak	دائره هولو ڤيراق	Gerik	ݢريق
Daerah Kerian	دائره كريان	Parit Buntar	ڤاريت بونتر
Daerah Kinta	دائره كينتا	Ipoh	ايڤوه
Daerah Kuala Kangsar	دائره كوالا كڠسر	Kuala Kangsar	كوالا كڠسر
Daerah Larut, Matang dan Selama	دائره لاروت، ماتڠ دان سلاما	Taiping	تايڤيڠ
Daerah Manjung	دائره منجوڠ	Lumut	لوموت
Daerah Perak Tengah	دائره ڤيراق تڠه	Parit Seputih	ڤاريت سڤوتيه

Perlis 6

MY-09Capital Kangar6 districts (daerah)The current state list gives Perlis no districts, only mukim

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Perlis
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Arau	دائره اراو	Arau	اراو
Daerah Kaki Bukit	دائره كاكي بوكيت	Kaki Bukit	كاكي بوكيت
Daerah Kangar	دائره كاڠر	Kangar	كاڠر
Daerah Kuala Perlis	دائره كوالا ڤرليس	Kuala Perlis	كوالا ڤرليس
Daerah Padang Besar	دائره ڤادڠ بسر	Padang Besar	ڤادڠ بسر
Daerah Simpang Empat	دائره سيمڤڠ امڤت	Simpang Empat	سيمڤڠ امڤت

Selangor 9

MY-10Capital Shah Alam9 districts (daerah)Ampang Jaya lies in the district now listed as Hulu Langat

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Selangor
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Ampang Jaya	دائره امڤڠ جاي	Kajang	كاجڠ
Daerah Gombak	دائره ݢومبق	Rawang	راوڠ
Daerah Hulu Selangor	دائره هولو سلاڠور	Kota Kubu Baharu	كوتا كوبو بهارو
Daerah Kelang	دائره كلڠ	Kelang	كلڠ
Daerah Kuala Langat	دائره كوالا لاڠت	Telok Datok	تلوق داتوق
Daerah Kuala Selangor	دائره كوالا سلاڠور	Kuala Selangor	كوالا سلاڠور
Daerah Petaling	دائره ڤتاليڠ	Shah Alam	شاه عالم
Daerah Sabak Bernam	دائره سابق برنم	Sabak	سابق
Daerah Sepang	دائره سڤڠ	Salak Tinggi	سالق تيڠݢي

Terengganu 7

MY-11Capital Kuala Terengganu7 districts (daerah)Added since: Kuala Nerus district

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Terengganu
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Daerah Besut	دائره بسوت	Kota Raja	كوتا راج
Daerah Dungun	دائره دوڠون	Dungun	دوڠون
Daerah Hulu Terengganu	دائره هولو ترڠݢانو	Kuala Berang	كوالا برڠ
Daerah Kemaman	دائره كمامن	Chukai	چوكاي
Daerah Kuala Terengganu	دائره كوالا ترڠݢانو	Kuala Terengganu	كوالا ترڠݢانو
Daerah Marang	دائره مارڠ	Marang	مارڠ
Daerah Setiu	دائره ستيو	Bandar Permaisuri	باندر ڤرمايسوري

Sabah 5

MY-12Capital Kota Kinabalu5 divisions (bahagian)

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Sabah
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Bahagian Kudat	بهاݢين كودت	Kudat	كودت
Bahagian Pantai Barat	بهاݢين ڤنتاي بارت	Kota Kinabalu	كوتا كينابالو
Bahagian Pedalaman	بهاݢين ڤدالمن	Beaufort	بيوفورت
Bahagian Sandakan	بهاݢين سانداكن	Sandakan	سانداكن
Bahagian Tawau	بهاݢين تاواو	Tawau	تاواو

Sarawak 11

MY-13Capital Kuching11 divisions (bahagian)Added since: Serian Division, created in 2015

Districts and divisions of Malaysia in Rumi and Jawi, by state: Sarawak
District	Jawi	Seat	Seat in Jawi
Bahagian Betong	بهاݢين بتوڠ	Betong	بتوڠ
Bahagian Bintulu	بهاݢين بينتولو	Bintulu	بينتولو
Bahagian Kapit	بهاݢين كاڤيت	Kapit	كاڤيت
Bahagian Kuching	بهاݢين كوچيڠ	Kuching	كوچيڠ
Bahagian Limbang	بهاݢين ليمبڠ	Limbang	ليمبڠ
Bahagian Miri	بهاݢين ميري	Miri	ميري
Bahagian Mukah	بهاݢين موكه	Mukah	موكه
Bahagian Samarahan	بهاݢين ساماراهن	Samarahan	ساماراهن
Bahagian Sarikei	بهاݢين ساريكي	Sarikei	ساريكي
Bahagian Seri Aman	بهاݢين سري امان	Seri Aman	سري امان
Bahagian Sibu	بهاݢين سيبو	Sibu	سيبو

Today-check: Wikipedia's List of districts in Malaysia, checked 28 October 2026, against the 102 units above. New units since then: Kulai and Tangkak (Johor), Pokok Sena (Kedah), Bagan Datuk, Kampar and Muallim (Perak), Kuala Nerus (Terengganu) and the Serian Division of Sarawak (The Borneo Post, 12 April 2015). That list gives Perlis no districts and names the Selangor district around Kajang and Ampang Jaya Hulu Langat. No Jawi forms are given here for units the list does not contain.

04 · Changes

New districts since the list was drawn up

The states themselves have not changed since 2003, when ISO 3166-2 replaced the old letter codes with the numbers MY-01 to MY-16 and added Putrajaya. Below the states the map has moved. Johor gained Kulai and Tangkak, Perak gained Kampar, Muallim and Bagan Datuk, Kedah Pokok Sena and Terengganu Kuala Nerus, and Sarawak created Serian as its twelfth division in 2015.

Kelantan uses its own word for a district, jajahan, while the list writes Daerah throughout. Perlis, the smallest state, is described today as having no districts at all and is divided directly into mukim.

05 · Questions

Questions about the districts of Malaysia

What is a district called in Malay?

Daerah, written دائره in Jawi. Sabah and Sarawak are first divided into divisions, bahagian (بهاݢين).

How many districts does Malaysia have?

The table lists 86 districts and 16 divisions. Since then Johor, Kedah, Perak and Terengganu have added seven districts and Sarawak one division.

Do the federal territories have districts?

No. Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya are listed as single units with their own ISO codes, MY-14 to MY-16.