The Official Portal of the Sarawak Government

Sarawak Government

Sarawak’s State Legislative Assembly, the oldest legislature in Malaysia, was established after its first inaugural meeting at Bintulu on 8th September 1867. Its first 21-member Sarawak General Council, headed by Rajah Charles Brooke, consisted of six of Brooke’s officers and 16 local community leaders. In 1903, the General Council was renamed Council Negri.

In 1941, Brooke’s son, Vyner, established a written constitution known as the Constitution Order in Council during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Brookes’ rule in Sarawak. As a result, the Council Negri membership numbers were increased to 24. Instead of Vyner Brookes (in his role as Rajah) the Chief Secretary was appointed to preside over the Council Negri.

In 1963, the Council Negri’s membership increased to 42. Since then, it rose incrementally to 48 in 1968, 56 in 1989, 62 in 1996 and 71 in 2006. In 1976, the Council Negri was renamed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

Administrative Division and Districts

Division
Districts
Sub-Districts
Kuching
Kuching
Padawan
 
Bau
 
 
Lundu
Sematan
Samarahan
Samarahan
 
 
Asajaya
 
 
Serian
Tebedu
 
Simunjan
Sebuyau
Sri Aman
Sri Aman
Lingga
Pantu
 
Lubok Antu
Engkilili
Betong
Betong
Maludam
Debak
Spaoh
Pusa
 
Saratok
Kabong
Roban
Budu
Sarikei
Sarikei
 
 
Meradong
 
 
Julau
 
 
Pakan
 
Sibu
Sibu
 
 
Kanowit
 
 
Selangau
 
Mukah
Mukah
Balingian
 
Dalat
Oya
 
Daro
Belawai
 
Matu
Igan
Bintulu
Bintulu
Sebauh
 
Tatau
 
Kapit
Kapit
Ng. Merit
 
Belaga
Sg. Asap
 
Song
 
Miri
Miri
Sibuti
Niah-Suai
 
Marudi
Beluru
Long Lama
Limbang
Limbang
Ng. Medamit
 
Lawas
Sundar
Trusan

Chief Minister of Sarawak

The Chief Minister of Sarawak is the head of the executive branch of the State Government in Sarawak. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Governor of Sarawak, from the state’s Legislative Council.

 

» Visit Chief Minister's website


 

There have been five Chief Ministers since the office was created in 1963:


1. Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan (1963-1966)


2. Datuk Penghulu Tawi Sli (1966-1970)


3. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (1970-1981)


4. Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (1981-2014)

5. YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem (2014-2017)

6. YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (2017 - present)


Yang di-Pertua Negeri

Sarawak has a Head of State or Yang di-Pertua Negeri or The Governor. He acts on the advice of the Chief Minister. The members of the State Cabinet or members of the Supreme Council are Cabinet Ministers.

The Astana is the office and Official Residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.


List of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak

  1. Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg Bin Abang Sapiee (1963-1969)
  2. Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang Bin Tuanku Osman (1969-1977)
  3. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin (1977-1981)
  4. Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (1981-1985)
  5. Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammed Noor (1985-2001)
  6. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin (2001- 2014)
  7. Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (2014 - Now)

The Judiciary

The Judiciary in Sarawak comprises of the High, Session & Juvenile Courts, the Sarawak Syariah Judicial Department, and the Native Court.  Sarawak’s Judiciary is headed by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. He oversees the administration and working of all the various courts.

High Court

Criminal Cases

Generally, the High Court has the jurisdiction to hear cases which carry the death penalty


Civil Cases

Generally, the High Court has the jurisdiction to hear cases which carry the death penalty

The High Court has the jurisdiction to hear civil cases in respect of :
divorce and matrimonial causes; admiralty;

 

 

a) Bankruptcy and company cases;

b) Appointment and control of guardians of infants and their property;

c) Appointment and control of guardians of disabled persons and their estate; and

d) Grant of probates of wills and letters of administration.

Sessions Court

Criminal Cases

The Sessions Court has the jurisdiction to try all offences other than offences punishable with death.


Civil Cases

The Sessions Court has unlimited jurisdiction to hear:

 

a) running down cases, landlord and tenant, and distress;

b) to try other suits where the amount in dispute does not exceed RM250,000; and

c) with the consent of the parties involved, to try cases exceeding RM250,000 but the award is limited to the statutory limit of RM250,000 only.

Magistrates' Court

Criminal Cases

A First Class Magistrate Court has the jurisdiction to try all offences where the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law does not exceed 10 years or which are punishable with fine only or cases involving robbery and housebreaking by night.


Generally, a First Class Magistrate may pass any sentence allowed by law not exceeding 5 years imprisonment; a fine of RM10,000; whipping up to 12 strokes; or any sentence combining any of the sentences aforesaid.


However, in some cases such as under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Betting Act 1953 the Magistrate may impose a fine higher than RM10,000.


Civil Cases

A First Class Magistrate Court has the jurisdiction to try all actions and suits of a civil nature where the amount in dispute does not exceed RM25,000.


» Visit the official website of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak for more information

The Syariah Court

The Syariah Court which came under the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, was established as a separate department in 1991.  The Syariah Courts has jurisdiction over matters of state Islamic law.   Its objective is to hear and decide on civil cases involving divorce and matrimony, civil and property claims, guardianship of infants and, inheritance.

The Native Court

The Native Court administers the Native Courts System and enforces Native Customs (Adat). The Native Courts Rules (1993) provides valuable standard guidelines as to the mode of instituting proceedings and the manner in which cases should be dealt with.


Sarawak’s Native Courts headquarters is based at Sri Muhibah, Jalan Taman Budaya, Kuching. A Chief Registrar who is the Chief administrator of Native Courts supervises all Registrars, who are District Officers and Sarawak Administrative Officers in charge of sub-districts.


Legislative

The legislative branch of the Sarawak Government passes all State laws and oversees the policies and expenditure of the executive branch. The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, or Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), consists of 71 State assemblymen headed by Yang di-Pertua Negeri.  Its administration is run as the State Civil Service, headed by a State Secretary.  The Legislative Assembly is vested with the power to make laws that do not come under the purview of the Federal Parliament.  The Legislative Assembly is a symbol of State sovereignty within the Federation of Malaysia and upholds the values and principles of democracy and the constitution.

 

» View the information about the State Assembly Members


Executive

With the Chief Minister as head, the executive branch of the DUN (Sarawak’s State Legislative Assembly) plans, executes and administers all policies and projects.  The Chief Minister is assisted by a Cabinet of State Ministers and State government agencies. Sarawak currently has 13 State Government Ministries.  Each State Cabinet Minister, who may have more than one portfolio, assistant minister(s) and a Permanent Secretary who acts as a Ministry’s administrative head.


Sarawak Civil Service

Vision

A WORLD CLASS CIVIL SERVICE

 

Mission

Our mission is to deliver excellent service through high performance teamwork

 

Common Shared Values

  • Integrity
  • Kind and Caring
  • Professionalism
  • Sense of Urgency and Ownership
  • Team Spirit
  • Result-Oriented