The First Tunku Abdul Rahman Ministry was formed following the general elections victory of the Alliance Party led by Tunku Abdul Rahman on July 27, 1955. Upon receiving the assent of the Rulers of the Malay States, the composition of the cabinet was announced by the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya, Donald MacGillivray, from King's House on August 4, 1955. The ministry was sworn in August 9, 1955 by the Chief Justice of Malaya, Prethaser.
The swearing in of this ministry marked the first time the majority of the Executive were members directly elected by Malayans and this was also the last ministry to hold office under the British protectorate. Only four portfolios, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Secretary of Finance, Attorney General and the Secretary of State, remained directly appointed by High Commissioner and were helmed by British officials.
The composition of the ministry on its formation is as follows:
| Portfolio | Office Bearer | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Minister | Tunku Abdul Rahman | UMNO |
| Minister of Home Affairs Deputy Minister of Home Affairs |
Tunku Abdul Rahman Bahaman Shamsuddin |
UMNO UMNO |
| Minister of Education Deputy Minister of Education |
Abdul Razak Hussein Poh Choon Beng |
UMNO MCA |
| Minister of Natural Resources | Ismail Abdul Rahman | UMNO |
| Minister of Transport | H. S. Lee | MCA |
| Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives |
Abdul Aziz Ishak Mohd Khir Johari |
UMNO UMNO |
| Minister of Health Assistant Minister of Health |
Leong Yew Koh Abdul Rahman Talib |
MCA UMNO |
| Minister of Works | Sardon Haji Jubir | UMNO |
| Minister of Labour Assistant Minister of Works |
V. T. Sambanthan Khalid Awang Osman |
MIC UMNO |
| Minister of Local Government, Housing and Town Planning | Sulaiman Datuk Abdul Rahman | UMNO |
| Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Post | Ong Yoke Lin | MCA |
The tenure of the ministry extended beyond the independence of Malaya on August 31, 1957 although it was reshuffled with the addition of new portfolios following independence and was only dissolved with the first post-independence general elections was called on August 19, 1959.
The composition of the ministry following its reshuffling is as follows:
| Portfolio | Office Bearer | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister |
Tunku Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak Hussein |
UMNO UMNO |
| Minister of Home Affairs and Justice | Sulaiman Datuk Abdul Rahman | UMNO |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Tunku Abdul Rahman | UMNO |
| Minister of Defence | Abdul Razak Hussein | UMNO |
| Minister of Finance | H. S. Lee | MCA |
| Minister of Education | Mohd Khir Johari | UMNO |
| Minister of Natural Resources | Bahaman Shamsuddin | UMNO |
| Minister of Transport | Abdul Rahman Talib | UMNO |
| Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | Abdul Aziz Ishak | UMNO |
| Minister of Health | V. T. Sambanthan | MIC |
| Minister of Works, Post and Telecommunications | Sardon Haji Jubir | UMNO |
| Minister of Labour and Social Welfare | Ong Yoke Lin | MCA |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | Tan Siew Sin | MCA |