A multicultural and multi-ethnic country, Malaysia has a constitution that affirms the state religion as Islam but also protects the freedom of its citizen to practice the religion of their choice. Due to the past influence of colonialism, the government system resembles that of the Westminster parliamentary combined with legal procedures outlined by English Common Law. The King, or head of state, is referred to as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is elected from a list of hereditary rulers overseeing Malaysia's 13 states. The Prime Minister of Malaysia is considered the "head of government".