Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Adib was appointed Chief Minister of Malacca to Lima on 11 July 1978 when he was 37 years old. He further held this post until 26 April 1982. The first task of Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Adib as Chief Minister was to resolve the political crisis in UMNO Melaka. This task is a great and important task involving Melaka UMNO political figures with strong influence and position in the state political politics. As an early step in administering the state of Malacca, Datuk Seri Mohd Adib introduced the 'collective government' and portfolio 'system to enable every EXCO to acquire deep expertise and knowledge in a field and make a decision jointly, absolute and equitable. Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Adib through the Melaka State Development Corporation (PKNM) in collaboration with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) strives to attract foreign investors. The private sector is also encouraged to set up their company in Melaka. He also focuses on the development of Malacca in agriculture. One of its main plans is an integrated agricultural development and this plan has the support and financing of the World Bank. Melaka also allocated RM 1000 million in the fourth Malaysia Plan to finance the construction of the Petronas Oil Filter Plant, the construction of the North-South Highway, the construction of the State Mosque and others. Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Adib and the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department plan and conduct a study on how to improve the development and modernization and measures to advance the state economy.