Yang di-Pertuan Negara

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Yang di-Pertuan Negara (English: (he) who is Lord of the State) is a title for the head of state in certain Malay-speaking countries, and has been used as an official title at various times in Brunei and Singapore.

Contents

Sabah

The head of state of Sabah was once known as Yang Di-Pertua Negara and later known as Yang Di-Pertua Negeri. [1]

Sarawak

The head of state of Sarawak was once known as Yang Di-Pertua Negara and later known as Yang Di-Pertua Negeri. [1]

Singapore

Background

Following revisions to the Constitution in 1959, which granted Singapore (then the Colony of Singapore) self-governance from the United Kingdom, the ceremonial office of Yang di-Pertuan Negara replaced the colonial office of Governor as the representative of the British monarch in Singapore.

Under a transitional arrangement, the last Governor of Singapore, Sir William Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 3 June to 3 December 1959. [2] He was succeeded by Yusof Ishak, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's state flag, coat of arms, and national anthem were adopted.

Initially, the office bearer was sometimes referred to as "Head of State". [3] [4] This was despite him constitutionally only a de facto , not de jure , head of state, acting as a vice-regal representative in lieu of a typical Governor-General. [5]

The title was retained on 31 August 1963 when Singapore declared independence from the United Kingdom and acceded to Malaysia as a state on 16 September 1963. The officeholder then acted as the vice-regal representative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. [5] , appointed by him at his own discretion, after the consultation the Prime Minister of Singapore. [6]

On 9 August 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation to become an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. On 22 December of that year, the Constitution was amended to make the country a republic, and the title of Yang di-Pertuan Negara was changed to President with retroactive effect from the date of independence. [7]

List of officeholders

№PortraitName
(Born–Died)		Term of OfficeOriginBackground or
Previous Appointment		MonarchRef
Took OfficeLeft OfficeDuration
1 William Goode 29-07-1953 (2).jpg Sir William Goode
(1907–1986)		3 June 19592 December 19595 monthsMiddlesex, EnglandChief Secretary of Singapore, Governor of Singapore Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg

Elizabeth II

[8] [9]
2 Yusof Ishak 1920s.jpg Yusof Ishak
(1910–1970)		3 December 19599 August 19655 years, 9 monthsTaiping, PerakChairman of the Public Service Commission of Singapore Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg

Elizabeth II
(Until 15 September 1963)
Agong3-222x300.jpg Putra of Perlis
(From 16 September 1963)

 [10] [11]

Brunei

In Brunei, the Sultan of Brunei is also known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

The full title for the head of state and head of government of Brunei is Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Granville-Edge, P. J. (1999). The Sabahan: The Life And Death of Tun Fuad Stephens. ISBN   978-983-40114-0-6.
  2. ↑ The Istana, K. K. Seet, Peter Mealin, Times Editions, 2000, page 88
  3. ↑ Goode becomes Head of State, Singapore Free Press , 3 June 1959, page 1
  4. ↑ Yusof Head of State, The Straits Times , 2 December 1959, page 1
  5. 1 2 The head of state in Singapore: An historical perspective in Managing Political Change in Singapore: The Elected Presidency', Kevin Tan, Peng Er Lam, Routledge, 1997, page 9
  6. ↑ Constitution of the State of Singapore, Statutory Instruments, Issues 870-1507, H.M. Stationery Office, 1963, page 2712
  7. ↑ Republic of Singapore Independence Act (Original Enactment: Act 9 of 1965)
  8. ↑ "No. 41726". The London Gazette . 5 June 1959. p. 3629.
  9. ↑ "Farewell in the rain for Goode". The Straits Times. 3 December 1959. p. 12.
  10. ↑ "Yusof Ishak: The man and his passions". AsiaOne. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Straits Times: Iseas to be named after Yusof Ishak on Aug 12". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Chancellory - Universiti Brunei Darussalam". Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
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