The Governor of Sarawak (Malay: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak) is the ceremonial head of state of Sarawak.[1] The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is styled Tuan Yang Terutama (lit. 'His Excellency'). The official residence of the governor is The Astana, located on the north bank of the Sarawak River in Kuching.[2]
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Governor of Sarawak | |
---|---|
since 26 January 2024 | |
Style | Tuan Yang Terutama (formal) His Excellency (formal) |
Status | Head of state |
Residence | The Astana, Kuching, Sarawak |
Nominator | Premier of Sarawak |
Appointer | Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
Term length | 4 years no restriction on renewal |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of the State of Sarawak |
Precursor | Governor of the Crown Colony of Sarawak |
Formation | 16 September 1963 |
First holder | Tun Abang Haji Openg |
Website | Astana Negeri Sarawak |
Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been the Governor of Sarawak since 26 January 2024.[3]
Appointment
editThe office of the governor is established by article 1(1) of the Constitution of Sarawak. The position is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the premier. Every governor is appointed for a term of four years. However, the king reserves the power to extend his term of appointment.
The governor has neither deputy nor assistant. However, in event of his inability to govern the state due to illness, absence or any other cause, the king reserves the power to appoint a person to exercise the function of the governor.
Functions, powers and privileges
editMany functions and powers of the king – at the federal level – are delegated to the governor at the state level – like the other rulers of states. The governor, however, has no power and function towards the judiciary. Most of them are appointed after consultation with the premier, except in appointing the premier. The same process occurred during dismissal of an office bearer.
The Constitution also describes powers of the governor in the Council Negri. All bills must be assented by the governor in 30 days after a bill passed. The governor also has to address the Assembly annually.
List
editNo. | Coat of Arms | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Monarch Reign | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
Governors of Crown Colony of Sarawak | |||||||
1 | Charles Arden-Clarke (1898–1962) |
1 July 1946 | 26 July 1949 | 3 years, 26 days | George VI | ||
2 | Duncan Steward (1904–1949) |
14 November 1949 | 10 December 1949 | 27 days | |||
- | Christopher Dawson | 10 December 1949 – 4 April 1950 Acting Governor of Sarawak |
116 days | ||||
3 | Anthony Foster Abell (1906–1994) |
4 April 1950 | 15 November 1959 | 9 years, 226 days | |||
Elizabeth II | |||||||
4 | Alexander Waddell (1913–1999) |
23 February 1960 | 21 July 1963 | 3 years, 149 days | |||
Governors of Sarawak | |||||||
1 | Tun Datuk Abang Openg (1905–1969) |
16 September 1963 | 28 March 1969 | 5 years, 194 days | Tuanku Syed Putra | ||
2 | Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang (1898–1986) |
2 April 1969 | 1 April 1977 | 8 years, 0 days | Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah | ||
Tuanku Abdul Halim | |||||||
Sultan Yahya Petra | |||||||
3 | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 1st term |
2 April 1977 | 1 April 1981 | 4 years, 0 days | Sultan Yahya Petra | ||
Sultan Ahmad Shah r. 1979–1984 | |||||||
4 | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (1928–2015) |
2 April 1981 | 1 April 1985 | 4 years, 0 days | |||
Sultan Iskandar | |||||||
5 | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000) |
2 April 1985 | 5 December 2000 | 15 years, 248 days | |||
Sultan Azlan Shah | |||||||
Sultan Ja'afar | |||||||
Sultan Salahuddin | |||||||
6 | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin1 (1921–2022) 2nd term |
22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days | |||
Sultan Salahuddin | |||||||
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin | |||||||
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin | |||||||
Tuanku Abdul Halim | |||||||
7 | Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (1936–2024) |
1 March 2014 | 26 January 2024 | 9 years, 332 days | Tuanku Abdul Halim | ||
Sultan Muhammad V | |||||||
Al-Sultan Abdullah | |||||||
8 | Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (born 1946) |
26 January 2024 | Incumbent | 329 days | Al-Sultan Abdullah | ||
Sultan Ibrahim |
See also
editNotes
edit- 1.^ Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri to serve twice as the Governor of Sarawak.
References
edit- ^ Milne, R. S. (1963). "Malaysia: A New Federation in the Making". Asian Survey. 3 (2): 76–82. doi:10.2307/3023678. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 3023678.
- ^ Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Archived 7 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Wan Junaidi appointed Sarawak governor effective today". The Star. Retrieved 26 January 2024.