Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak

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Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak
Governor of Sarawak
Coat of arms
Incumbent
Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
since 26 January 2024
StyleTuan Yang Terutama
(formal)
His Excellency
(formal)
StatusHead of The State
ResidenceThe Astana, Kuching, Sarawak
NominatorPremier of Sarawak
AppointerYang di-Pertuan Agong
Term length4 years
no restriction on renewal
Constituting instrumentConstitution of the State of Sarawak
PrecursorGovernor of the Crown Colony of Sarawak
Formation16 September 1963
First holderTun Abang Haji Openg
WebsiteAstana Negeri Sarawak

The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak in English is Governor of Sarawak,[1] is the ceremonial head of state of Sarawak.[2] 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.[3]

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been the Yang di-Pertua Negeri since 26 January 2024.[4]

Appointment[edit]

The 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[edit]

Many 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[edit]

No. 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

George VI
r. 1946–1952

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

Elizabeth II
r. 1952–1963

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

Tuanku Syed Putra
r. 1960–1965

2 Tun Datuk Patinggi
Tuanku Bujang
(1898–1986)
2 April 1969 1 April 1977 8 years, 0 days Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah

Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah
r. 1965–1970

Tuanku Abdul Halim

Tuanku Abdul Halim
r. 1970–1975

Sultan Yahya Petra

Sultan Yahya Petra
r. 1975–1979

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 Yahya Petra
r. 1975–1979

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

Sultan Iskandar of Johor
r. 1984–1989

5
Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji
Ahmad Zaidi Adruce
(1924–2000)
2 April 1985 5 December 2000 15 years, 248 days
Sultan Azlan Shah

Azlan Shah of Perak
r. 1989–1994

Sultan Salahuddin

Salahuddin of Selangor
r. 1999–2001

6 Tun Pehin Sri
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin1
(1921–2022)
2nd term
22 February 2001 28 February 2014 13 years, 7 days
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin

Sirajuddin of Perlis
r. 2001–2006

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin

Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu
r. 2006–2011

Tuanku Abdul Halim

Tuanku Abdul Halim
r. 2011–2016

7
Tun Pehin Sri Haji
Abdul Taib Mahmud
(1936–2024)
1 March 2014 26 January 2024 9 years, 332 days Tuanku Abdul Halim

Tuanku Abdul Halim
r. 2011–2016

Sultan Muhammad V

Muhammad V of Kelantan
r. 2016–2019

Al-Sultan Abdullah

Abdullah of Pahang
r. 2019–2024

8
Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji
Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
(born 1946)
26 January 2024 Incumbent 63 days Al-Sultan Abdullah

Abdullah of Pahang
r. 2019–2024

Sultan Ibrahim

Ibrahim Ismail of Johor
r. 2024– 

Notes[edit]

1.^ Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri to serve twice as the Governor of Sarawak.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Abdul Taib continues service as Sarawak governor for another two years". The Star. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ Milne, R. S. (1963). "Malaysia: A New Federation in the Making". Asian Survey. 3 (2): 76–82. doi:10.2307/3023678. ISSN 0004-4687.
  3. ^ Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Archived 7 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Wan Junaidi appointed Sarawak governor effective today". The Star. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

See also[edit]