Cabinet of Sarawak

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Cabinet of Sarawak
Kabinet Sarawak
Coat of arms of Sarawak.svg
Overview
Established16 September 1963 (1963-09-16)
State Sarawak
Leader Premier
Appointed by Governor on the advice of the Premier
Responsible to Legislative Assembly

The cabinet of Sarawak (Malay: Kabinet Sarawak) serves as the primary decision-making body within the executive branch of the Government of Sarawak. Its composition mirrors that of the federal level, albeit on a smaller scale. At its core is the Premier, appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) based on their ability to secure majority support in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. The Cabinet comprises ministers drawn from the legislative body, appointed by the Premier's recommendation.

Contents

Much like at the federal level, each Cabinet minister heads a specific ministry. However, due to variations in federal and state jurisdictions, certain portfolios may differ between the two levels of government.

History

Cabinet of Sarawak today is founded at 22.7.1963 the day when Sarawak gain independence from British Empire.

Prior to the Cabinet of Sarawak, it is the Supreme Council, during the reign of Second Rajah of Sarawak, Rajah Charles Anthoni Johnson Brooke, His Majesty has appointed chief of each race and chief of each divisions in Sarawak to the Supreme Council, Rajah is the Head of the Supreme Council with Englishman mainly Rajah relatives, friends and family members serving as secretary and officer within the Supreme Council.

Cabinet appointments

The state constitution mandates a structured process for the appointment of members to the Cabinet. The Governor appoints the Premier, who must be a member of the State Legislative Assembly and is likely to gain the trust of the majority of its members. Subsequently, the Premier advises the Governor on the appointment of other Cabinet members, with the Governor appointing no more than ten and no fewer than four members from among the sitting members of the State Legislative Assembly. [1] The constitution also includes provisions for appointments during the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly and for Cabinet members who cease to be members of the State Legislative Assembly.

Before assuming the functions of their office, a member of the Cabinet is required to take and subscribe to an oath in the presence of the Governor.

Tenure

The state constitution also defines the tenure of office for members of the Cabinet through several provisions. Firstly, it stipulates that if the Premier, who leads the Cabinet, loses the confidence of a majority of the members of the State Legislative Assembly, they are required to tender the resignation of the entire Cabinet. However, the Premier may alternatively request the Governor to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly, potentially leading to new elections.

Secondly, the constitution allows members of the Cabinet to resign from their positions at any time by submitting a written resignation to the Governor. If a member of the Cabinet, excluding the Premier, has their appointment revoked by the Governor upon the advice of the Premier, they are also required to vacate their office.

Thirdly, except for the Premier, who is contingent upon the confidence of the State Legislative Assembly, members of the Cabinet serve at the pleasure of the Governor. This means that their tenure in office is at the discretion of the Governor, and they may continue to hold office unless they voluntarily resign or have their appointment revoked.

Deputy ministers

The constitution also provides for the appointment of Deputy Ministers by the Governor upon the advice of the Premier from among the members of the State Legislative Assembly. Deputy Ministers do not hold Cabinet membership. There are specific provisions for appointments during the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly and for the continuation of office in case of ceasing membership in the Assembly. The primary role of Deputy Ministers is to assist the Premier and Ministers in their duties, with powers equivalent to Ministers. Certain provisions applicable to Cabinet members also extend to Deputy Ministers for consistency in governance.

This post was known as Assistant Minister before an amendment to the constitution regarding the matter was successfully passed on 15 February 2022, renaming the post to "Deputy Minister". [2] The constitutional amendment was gazetted and came into effect on 1 March 2022.

Responsibilities and restrictions of cabinet members

The state constitution delineates the assignment of responsibilities to members of the Cabinet and imposes restrictions on their engagement in trade, business, or profession. Firstly, the Governor, upon the advice of the Premier, holds the authority to allocate specific governmental tasks to Cabinet members, encompassing the management of state affairs and the administration of government departments. Under this provision, any Cabinet member entrusted with such responsibilities is designated with the title of "Minister".

In addition to the assignment of duties, the Constitution imposes limitations on the commercial activities of Cabinet members. Specifically, members of the Cabinet are prohibited from participating in any trade, business, or profession that is directly connected with the subject or department of government for which they are responsible. Furthermore, they are barred from involvement in Cabinet decisions pertaining to their trade, business, or profession, or decisions that could potentially impact their financial interests in these pursuits, for as long as they continue to engage in them.

Governor to act on advice

Article 10 of the Constitution outlines the governance structure regarding the role and powers of the Governor in relation to the Cabinet and the exercise of their functions. It delineates specific scenarios where the Governor is mandated to act on advice from the Premier or a member of the Cabinet, and those where they retain discretionary powers.

In accordance with the constitutional framework, the Governor is primarily required to act on the advice of the Premier or a member of the Cabinet in the execution of their functions.

However, the provision also acknowledges instances where the Governor exercises discretion. Notably, the Governor retains the authority to independently appoint a Premier and to withhold consent for the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly.

Furthermore, the State Legislative Assembly is granted the authority to enact laws that regulate the Governor's exercise of functions, including provisions for consultation or recommendations from entities other than the Cabinet.

Present composition

Ministers

   GPS (11)
   PBB (8)   SUPP (2)   PRS (1)   PDP (0)
PortfolioOfficeholderPartyConstituencyTerm startTerm end
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBB Gedong 18 December 2021Incumbent
Deputy PremiersDatuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas PBB Bukit Saban 4 January 2022
Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan PBB Bukit Sari
Prof. Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian SUPP Batu Kawah
Minister in the Premier's DepartmentDato Sri John Sikie Tayai PRS Kakus
Minister for Finance and New EconomyDatuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBB Gedong
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas
(as Second Minister)
PBB Bukit Saban
Minister for Natural Resources and Urban DevelopmentDatuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBB Gedong
Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan
(as Second Minister)
PBB Bukit Sari
Minister for Energy and Environmental SustainabilityDatuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBB Gedong
Minister for Infrastructure and Port DevelopmentDatuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas PBB Bukit Saban
Minister for International Trade and InvestmentDatuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan PBB Bukit Sari
Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local GovernmentProf. Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian SUPP Batu Kawah
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing DevelopmentDato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah PBB Dalat
Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional DevelopmentDato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom PBB Kemena
Minister for TransportDato Sri Lee Kim Shin SUPP Senadin
Minister for Utility and TelecommunicationDato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi PBB Sebuyau
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing ArtsDato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah PBB Asajaya
Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent DevelopmentDato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn PBB Tarat

Deputy Ministers

   GPS (26)
   PBB (17)   SUPP (3)   PRS (4)   PDP (2)
PortfolioOfficeholderPartyConstituencyTerm startTerm end
Deputy Minister in the Premier's DepartmentDatuk Hajjah Sharifah Hasidah binti Sayeed Aman Ghazali
(Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations)
PBB Samariang 4 January 2022Incumbent
Datuk Gerawat Gala
(Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring)
PBB Mulu
Datuk Abdullah bin Haji Saidol
(Corporate Affairs and UKAS)
PBB Semop
Dato Murshid Diraja Dr. Juanda Jaya
(Integrity and Ombudsman)
PBB Jemoreng
Datuk Jefferson Jamit anak Unyat
(Native Law and Customs)
PBB Bukit Goram
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban DevelopmentDatu Haji Len Talif Salleh PBB Kuala Rajang
Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental SustainabilityDatuk Dr. Haji Hazland Abang Hipni PBB Demak Laut
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port DevelopmentDatuk Ir. Aidel bin Lariwoo
(Infrastructure Development)
PBB Sadong Jaya
Dato Majang anak Renggi
(Port Development)
PRS Samalaju
Deputy Minister for International Trade and InvestmentDatuk Dr. Malcom Mussen anak Lamoh PRS Batang Ai
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local GovernmentDatu Dr. Penguang anak Manggil
(Public Health and Housing)
PDP Marudi
Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee
(Local Government)
SUPP Pelawan
Deputy Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional DevelopmentDatuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ismail
(Modernisation of Agriculture)
` PBB Bukit Kota
Datuk Maclaine @ Martin Ben
(Regional Development)
PBB Kedup
Deputy Minister for TransportDatuk Dr. Jerip anak Susil PBB Mambong
Dato Henry Harry anak Jinep PDP Tasik Biru
Deputy Minister for Utility and TelecommunicationDatuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi
(Utility)
PBB Pantai Damai
Datuk Liwan Lagang
(Telecommunication)
PRS Belaga
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing ArtsDato Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew
(Tourism)
SUPP Piasau
Datuk Snowdan anak Lawan
(Creative Industry and Performing Arts)
PRS Balai Ringin
Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur DevelopmentDato Gerald Rentap Jabu
(Youth and Sport Development)
PBB Layar
Datuk Dr. Ripin bin Lamat
(Entrepreneur Development)
PBB Lambir
Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing DevelopmentDatuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus
(Women and Early Childhood Development)
PBB Bekenu
Datuk Ricky @ Mohd Razi bin Sitam
(Community Wellbeing Development)
PBB Saribas
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent DevelopmentDatuk Dr. Haji Annuar bin Rapaee
(Education and Innovation)
PBB Nangka
Datuk Francis Harden anak Hollis
(Talent Development)
SUPP Simanggang

List of cabinets

No.CabinetTerm beganTerm endedCabinet compositionLegislative
term (election)
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Stephen I19631966 Alliance (SNAPSCA–BARJASA–PESAKA)7th
Tawi Sli I19661966Alliance (PESAKA–BARJASA–SCA)
Stephen II19661966 SNAP (minority)
Tawi Sli II19661970Alliance (PESAKA–BARJASA–SCA)
Rahman I19701974Alliance (BUMIPUTERA–SCA) (until 1973)8th (1969–70)
BN (PBBSUPP) (from 1973)
Rahman II19741979 BN (PBBSUPP)9th (1974)
Rahman III19791981 BN (PBBSUPP)10th (1979)
Taib I19811983 BN (PBBSUPP)
Taib II19831987 BN (PBBSUPP)11th (1983)
Taib III19871991 BN (PBBSUPPSNP)12th (1987)
Taib IV19911996 BN (PBBSUPPSNP)13th (1991)
Taib V19962001 BN (PBBSUPPPBDSSNP)14th (1996)
Taib VI20012006 BN (PBBSUPPPBDSSNP)15th (2001)
Taib VII20062011 BN (PBBSUPPPRSSPDP)16th (2006)
Taib VIII20112014 BN (PBBPRSSUPPSPDP)17th (2011)
Adenan I20142016 BN (PBBPRSSUPPSPDP)
Adenan II8 May 201611 January 2017 BN (PBBPRSSUPPPDP)UPP 18th (2016)
Abang Johari I 11 January 20173 January 2022 BN (PBBPRSSUPPPDP)UPP (2017–2018)
GPS (PBBPRSSUPPPDP)PSB (2018–2019)
GPS (PBB– PRS– SUPP– PDP) (2019–2021)
Abang Johari II 4 January 2022Incumbent GPS (PBB– PRS– SUPP– PDP) 19th (2021)

See also

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References

  1. Ahmad, Shafik (7 January 2022). "Kabinet Sarawak: Abang Jo pegang lebih jawatan bukan pemusatan kuasa - Penganalisis" (in Malay). Astro Awani . Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. Wen, Lok Jian (15 February 2022). "Sarawak vote to call its leader 'premier' could be first step to greater autonomy". The Straits Times . Retrieved 4 March 2024.