The Leader of Zalda is the Zaldan head of government. In 2339, shortly after Federation-Zaldan first contact, the Zaldan Leader told the crew of the USS Enterprise that Zalda had encountered a number of Romulan civilian trading ships. He also indicated that, in spite of the Federation being "full of those who speak falsehood," Zalda was interested in pursuing Federation Membership. Zalda later became a Federation Member State. (ST novel: A Singular Destiny)