The current office bearer, Mohd Ali Rustam, was sworn in on 4 June 2020.

The office of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (governor) is established by the Constitution of Malacca.

According to Article 1 (1) of the Constitution, the office must exist and be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) after consultation with the chief minister.

However, in event of his inability to govern the state due to illness, absence or any other cause, the king reserves the power to appoint a person to exercise the function of the governor.

The Constitution also describes powers of the governor in the state legislative assembly.