République socialiste soviétique kirghize
In 1961 Masaliyev became an instructor at the regional branch of the Communist Party of Kirghizia in Osh. He worked his way up the ranks until he became First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kirghizia in November 1985. From 10 April to 10 December 1990 he served as chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic.