# 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 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.
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

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 | Term of office | Term of office | Monarch Reign |
| No. | Coat of Arms | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Monarch Reign |
| Governors of Crown Colony of Sarawak ||||||||
| 1 | | | Charles Arden-Clarke (1898–1962) | 1 July 1946 | 26 July 1949 | 3 years, 26 days | George VI r. 1946–1952 |
| 2 | | | Duncan Steward (1904–1949) | 14 November 1949 | 10 December 1949 | 27 days | George VI r. 1946–1952 |
| - | | | Christopher Dawson | 10 December 1949 – 4 April 1950 Acting Governor of Sarawak | 10 December 1949 – 4 April 1950 Acting Governor of Sarawak | 116 days | George VI r. 1946–1952 |
| 3 | | | Anthony Foster Abell (1906–1994) | 4 April 1950 | 15 November 1959 | 9 years, 226 days | George VI r. 1946–1952 |
| 3 | | | Anthony Foster Abell (1906–1994) | 4 April 1950 | 15 November 1959 | 9 years, 226 days | Elizabeth II r. 1952–1963 |
| 4 | | | Alexander Waddell (1913–1999) | 23 February 1960 | 21 July 1963 | 3 years, 149 days | Elizabeth II r. 1952–1963 |
| Governors of Sarawak ||||||||
| 1 | | | Tun Datuk Abang Openg (1905–1969) | 16 September 1963 | 28 March 1969 | 5 years, 194 days | 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 r. 1965–1970 |
| 2 | | | Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang (1898–1986) | 2 April 1969 | 1 April 1977 | 8 years, 0 days | Tuanku Abdul Halim r. 1970–1975 |
| 2 | | | Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang (1898–1986) | 2 April 1969 | 1 April 1977 | 8 years, 0 days | 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 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 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 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 r. 1984–1989 |
| 5 | | | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000) | 2 April 1985 | 5 December 2000 | 15 years, 248 days | Sultan Iskandar 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 r. 1989–1994 |
| 5 | | | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000) | 2 April 1985 | 5 December 2000 | 15 years, 248 days | Sultan Ja'afar r. 1994–1999 |
| 5 | | | Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (1924–2000) | 2 April 1985 | 5 December 2000 | 15 years, 248 days | Sultan Salahuddin r. 1999–2001 |
| 6 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 2nd term | 22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days |
| 6 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 2nd term | 22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days | Sultan Salahuddin r. 1999–2001 |
| 6 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 2nd term | 22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days | Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin r. 2001–2006 |
| 6 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 2nd term | 22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days | Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin r. 2006–2011 |
| 6 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin (1921–2022) 2nd term | 22 February 2001 | 28 February 2014 | 13 years, 7 days | 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 r. 2011–2016 |
| 7 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (1936–2024) | 1 March 2014 | 26 January 2024 | 9 years, 332 days | Sultan Muhammad V r. 2016–2019 |
| 7 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (1936–2024) | 1 March 2014 | 26 January 2024 | 9 years, 332 days | Al-Sultan Abdullah r. 2019–2024 |
| 8 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (born 1946) | 26 January 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 45 days | Al-Sultan Abdullah r. 2019–2024 |
| 8 | | | Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (born 1946) | 26 January 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 45 days | Sultan Ibrahim r. 2024– |