Abang Muhammad Salahuddin

Abang Muhammad Salahuddin bin Abang Barieng (né Louis anak Barieng; Template:Langx; 27 August 1921 – 28 January 2022) was a Malaysian politician who served as the third Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak from 1977 to 1981, and as the sixth Yang di-Pertua Negeri from 2001 to 2014. He was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri to hold the post twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office.

Early life

Born in 1921 at Kampung Nangka, Sibu, Raj of Sarawak (present-day Sarawak, Malaysia) Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, or Abang Louis, was the only son of Abang Barieng Abang Anyut, a well-known figure in the Third Division (present-day Sibu Division), who had a bloodline with famous state leader Temenggung Jugah Barieng. Abang Louis later changed his name to his Islam one after his conversion.

After the Japanese occupation, he worked as Municipal Inspector until 1947 under the new British colonial administration. He continued in the public service under the National Registration Department and the Public Works Department.

Political career

Salahuddin was active in state politics, helping to form Barisan Pemuda Sarawak (BPS) and Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA). He acted as representative of the Melanau community to the Cobbold Commission during the years preceding the formation of Malaysia.

In 1963, he contested and won a seat in the state elections. He resigned in 1968 and returned to public service and eventually became Chairman of the State Public Service Commission.

Governorship

In 1977, he was installed as the third Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak and served for his first term. In 2000, he became the acting Yang di-Pertua Negeri while his successor Ahmad Zaidi Adruce was ill. Ahmad Zaidi died in December 2000, and Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was reappointed permanently to the governorship in February 2001, and his term officially ended on 28 February 2014.

Death

Salahuddin died at the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre in Petra Jaya, on 28 January 2022, at the age of 100. He was buried at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

• Template:Country data Malaysia :
  • File:MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (1978)
• Template:Country data Sarawak :
  • File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 1 ribbon SBS.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (SBS) – Pehin Sri (2017)
  • File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of the Hornbill (Bintang Kenyalang) - 1. Knight Grand Commander (DP).svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi
  • File:MY-SAR Order of Devoted Service of Sarawak - Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak.svg Grand Master of the Order of Meritorious Service to Sarawak (JBS)
  • File:MY-SAR Medal of Public Administration - Pingat Pentadbiran Awam.svg Grand Master of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PPA)
• Template:Country data Malacca :
  • File:MY-MAL Exalted Order of Malacca.svg Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama
• Template:Country data Penang :
  • File:MY-PEN Order of the Defender of State - Knight Grand Commander - DUPN.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama
• Template:Country data Perlis :
  • File:MY-PERL Order of the Crown of Perlis - Knight Grand Commander - SPMP.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Perlis (SPMP) – Dato' Seri (1979)
• Template:Country data Sabah :
  • File:MY-SAB Order of Kinabalu - SPDK.svg Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima

Notes

1. Who's who 82/83 (First Edition), Sarawak Publishing House Sdn.Bhd., Kuching, Malaysia.

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