The office of the chief martial law administrator (CMLA) was a senior and authoritative post with zonal martial law administrators as deputies created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country in an events to ensure the continuity of government.
This office has been used mostly by military officers staging a coup d'état.
On some occasions, the office has been under a civilian head of state.
Some famous holders of this post in Pakistan include: (birth–death) Some famous holders of this post in Bangladesh include: In Indonesia, this post was briefly held by army chief Suharto, who seized power in 1966 and forced President Sukarno to resign in 1967.
Sukarno had also enforced martial law during his tenure as President of Indonesia.