Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak

The Governor of Sarawak, officially Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak (Malay: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak) is the ceremonial head of state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The is styled (Template:Lit). The official residence of the governor is The Astana, located on the north bank of the Sarawak River in Kuching.

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been the Governor of Sarawak since 26 January 2024.

History

Following the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the Constitution of Sarawak originally designated the head of state as Governor. Subsequently, on 27 August 1976, Act A354 amended the title to Yang di-Pertua Negeri, which remains in use to the present day.

Appointment and role

The Constitution establishes the office of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak. This position is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King), who must first consult with the Premier of Sarawak. However, the King retains the discretion to act as he deems appropriate in making the appointment.

The Governor holds office for a term of four years. Nevertheless, he may resign at any time by submitting a written resignation to the King. Furthermore, the King has the authority to remove the Governor from office. This can occur if a resolution calling for the removal is supported by not less than two-thirds of the members of the State Legislative Assembly.

In situations where the Governor is unable to perform his duties due to illness, absence or other causes, the King may appoint a qualified individual to act temporarily in that capacity after consultation with the Premier. A person acting in this temporary role is also permitted to represent Sarawak in the Conference of Rulers during the acting period.

Following a constitutional amendment made in 1997, the Governor may also appoint a representative to attend a specific meeting of the Conference of Rulers. This appointment must be made with the advice of the Premier and the consent of the King.

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			Monarch Reign
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
Governors of Crown Colony of Sarawak
1	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg	File:The National Archives UK - CO 1069-43-9 - crop.jpg	Charles Arden-Clarke (1898–1962)	1 July 1946	26 July 1949	Template:Ayd	George VI George VI Template:R.
2	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg		Duncan Steward (1904–1949)	14 November 1949	10 December 1949	Template:Ayd
-	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg		Christopher Dawson	10 December 1949 – 4 April 1950 Acting Governor of Sarawak		Template:Ayd
3	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg	File:Sir Anthony Abell (1959).jpg	Anthony Foster Abell (1906–1994)	4 April 1950	15 November 1959	Template:Ayd
							Elizabeth II Elizabeth II Template:R.
4	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg		Alexander Waddell (1913–1999)	23 February 1960	21 July 1963	Template:Ayd
Governors of Sarawak
1	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg		Tun Datuk Abang Openg (1905–1969)	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd	Tuanku Syed Putra Tuanku Syed Putra Template:R.
2	File:Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of Sarawak.svg		Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang (1898–1986)	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd	Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Template:R.
							Tuanku Abdul Halim Tuanku Abdul Halim Template:R.
							Sultan Yahya Petra Sultan Yahya Petra Template:R.
3	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak (1973-1988).jpg	File:TYT Sarawak Abang Muhammad Salahuddin.jpg	Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 1st term	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd	Sultan Yahya Petra Sultan Yahya Petra Template:R.
							Sultan Ahmad Shah Template:R.
4	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak (1973-1988).jpg	File:Potret Tun Abdul Rahman Bin Ya'kub.jpg	Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (1928–2015)	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd
							Sultan Iskandar Sultan Iskandar of Johor Template:R.
5	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak (1973-1988).jpg	File:Tun-Ahmad-Zaidi-Adruce.jpg	Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000)	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd
							Sultan Azlan Shah Azlan Shah of Perak Template:R.
							Sultan Ja'afar Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan Template:R.
							Sultan Salahuddin Salahuddin of Selangor Template:R.
6	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak.svg	File:TYT Sarawak Abang Muhammad Salahuddin.jpg	Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin1 (1921–2022) 2nd term	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd
							Sultan Salahuddin Salahuddin of Selangor Template:R.
							Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Sirajuddin of Perlis Template:R.
							Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu Template:R.
							Tuanku Abdul Halim Tuanku Abdul Halim Template:R.
7	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak.svg	File:Abdul Taib Mahmud.jpg	Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (1936–2024)	Template:Dts	Template:Dts	Template:Ayd	Tuanku Abdul Halim Tuanku Abdul Halim Template:R.
							Sultan Muhammad V Muhammad V of Kelantan Template:R.
							Al-Sultan Abdullah Abdullah of Pahang Template:R.
8	File:Coat of arms of Sarawak.svg	File:Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar 2023.jpg	Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (born 1946)	Template:Dts	Incumbent	Template:Ayd	Al-Sultan Abdullah Abdullah of Pahang Template:R.
							Sultan Ibrahim Ibrahim Ismail of Johor Template:R.

Notes

1.^ Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was the first to serve twice as the Governor of Sarawak.