The Menteri Besar and other members of the council are appointed by the Sultan of Kedah from members of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri Kedah). Legislature The state also has a State assembly, called the Kedah State Legislative Assembly. It is similar to the Parliament but is limited to making laws relating to the state. Its members are elected in elections which are usually held simultaneously with federal elections. The term of each state assembly member is limited to five years. The state assembly must be dissolved before or once it expires its term for a fresh election to elect its members. Departments Kedah State Finance and Treasury Office Kedah Irrigation and Drainage Department Kedah State Forestry Department Kedah Social Welfare Department Kedah Syariah Judiciary Department Kedah Public Works Department Kedah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department Kedah Public Service Commission Kedah State Agriculture Department Office of Lands and Mines Kedah Kedah State Mufti Department Kedah Town and Country Planning Department Department of Veterinary Services of Kedah Statutory bodies Mahmud College Board Kedah State Paddy Farmers Development Board Kedah State Islamic Religious Council Kedah Public Library Corporation Kedah State Water Resources Board Kedah State Development Corporation Kedah State Museum Board Kedah State Zakat Board Administrative divisions Modern Kedah is divided into 12 administrative districts, 12 local governments and 132 mukims. Local governments Alor Setar City Council Baling District Council Bandar Baharu District Council Kubang Pasu Municipal Council Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park Local Authority Kulim Municipal Council Langkawi Municipal Council Padang Terap District Council Pendang District Council Sik District Council Sungai Petani Municipal Council Yan District Council Demographics Kedah has a relatively heterogeneous populace constituted by three major ethnic groups; the Malays, Chinese and Indians as well as some Malaysian Siamese ethnic groups, similar to most of the other Malaysian states. Prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaya, there was an ethnic group known as the Sam Sam people. They are culturally Malay Muslim but speak Siamese language. Most of these communities are almost extinct due to assimilation with the Malays. In some places in Kedah, the Sam Sam people still retain their Siamese language as their mother tongue. These communities can be found in Pendang District, Kuala Nerang District and Kubang Pasu District (Changlun, Kodiang, Jitra, Wang Tepus, Guar Napai, Malau, Ason and Napoh). Kedah has a very small Orang Asli community. Orang Asli is mainly