Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak
|
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Governor of Sarawak | |
|---|---|
 Governor's Crest
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 Governor's Standard
| |
| Style |
Tuan Yang Terutama (formal) His Excellency (formal) |
| Status | Head of The 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 |
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak in English is Governor of Sarawak, is the ceremonial head of state of Sarawak. 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.
The current office bearer, Abdul Taib Mahmud, was sworn in on 1 March 2014. He received the credentials as the new governor on 28 February, and took the oath of office on the following day. He was re-appointed as governor on 28 February 2018 and 2022 for the 2nd and 3rd term.
Appointment
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
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
| No. | Coat of Arms | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, 25 days |
| 2 |
|
Duncan Steward (1904–1949) |
14 November 1949 | 10 December 1949 | 26 days | |
| - |
|
Christopher Dawson | 10 December 1949 – 4 April 1950
Acting Governor of Sarawak |
3 months, 25 days | ||
| 3 |
|
 |
Anthony Foster Abell
(1906–1994) |
4 April 1950 | 15 November 1959 | 9 years, 11 days |
| 4 |
|
Alexander Waddell (1913–1999) |
23 February 1960 | 21 July 1963 | 3 years, 27 days | |
| Governors of Sarawak | ||||||
| 1 |
|
Abang Openg (1905–1969) |
16 September 1963 | 28 March 1969 | 5 years, 193 days | |
| 2 |
|
Tuanku Bujang (1898–1986) |
2 April 1969 | 1 April 1977 | 8 years, 0 days | |
| 3 |
|
|
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) |
2 April 1977 | 1 April 1981 | 3 years, 364 days |
| 4 |
|
 |
Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (1928–2015) |
2 April 1981 | 1 April 1985 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 5 |
|
 |
Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000) |
2 April 1985 | 5 December 2000 | 15 years, 247 days |
| 6 |
|
|
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) |
22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 6 days |
| 7 |
|
 |
Abdul Taib (born 1936) |
1 March 2014 | present | 9 years, 303 days |