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.
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 The Supreme Council served as the executive branch of the government prior to Sarawak's independence, led by the Rajah of Sarawak. Then-Rajah Charles Brooke primarily appointed relatives, friends and family members to the cabinet, each in charge of specific races or divisions in Sarawak.
Upon independence on Sarawak Day, Supreme Council members appointed by outgoing governor Alexander Waddell became the first Cabinet of Sarawak.
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. 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". 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 + (11) (8) (2) (1) (0)
Portfolio Officeholder Party Constituency Term start Term endPremier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBBGedong 18 December 2021 Incumbent Deputy PremiersDatuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas PBBBukit Saban 4 January 2022Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan PBBBukit SariProf. Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian SUPPBatu KawahMinister in the Premier's DepartmentDato Sri John Sikie Tayai PRSKakus Minister for Finance and New Economy Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBBGedongDatuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas PBBBukit Saban Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBBGedongDatuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan PBBBukit SariMinister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg PBBGedongMinister for Infrastructure and Port DevelopmentDatuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas PBBBukit SabanMinister for International Trade, Industry and InvestmentDatuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan PBBBukit SariMinister for Public Health, Housing and Local GovernmentProf. Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian SUPPBatu KawahMinister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing DevelopmentDato Sri Hajah Fatimah AbdullahPBBDalatMinister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional DevelopmentDato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom PBBKemenaMinister for TransportDato Sri Lee Kim Shin SUPPSenadinMinister for Utility and TelecommunicationDato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi PBBSebuyauMinister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah PBB AsajayaMinister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur DevelopmentMinister for Education, Innovation and Talent DevelopmentDato Sri Roland Sagah Wee InnPBBTarat
Deputy Ministers + (27) (18) (3) (4) (2)
Portfolio Officeholder Party Constituency Term start Term end Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Hajjah Sharifah Hasidah binti Sayeed Aman Ghazali PBBSamariang 4 January 2022 Incumbent Datuk Gerawat Gala PBBMulu Datuk Abdullah bin Haji Saidol PBBSemop Dato Murshid Diraja Dr. Juanda Jaya PBBJemoreng Datuk Jefferson Jamit anak Unyat PBBBukit GoramDatuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi PBBPantai Damai17 March 2025 Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh PBBKuala Rajang 4 January 2022 Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr. Haji Hazland Abang Hipni PBBDemak Laut Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir. Aidel bin Lariwoo PBBSadong Jaya Datuk Majang anak Renggi PRSSamalaju Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment Datuk Dr. Malcom Mussen anak Lamoh PRS Batang Ai Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr. Penguang anak Manggil PDP Marudi Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee SUPP Pelawan Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ismail ` PBBBukit Kota Datuk Maclaine @ Martin Ben PBBKedup Deputy Minister for Transport Datuk Dr. Jerip anak Susil PBBMambong Datuk Henry Harry anak Jinep PDP Tasik Biru Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi PBB Pantai Damai 17 March 2025Datuk Ibrahim Baki PBBSatok17 March 2025 Incumbent Datuk Liwan Lagang PRS Belaga 4 January 2022 Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew SUPP Piasau Datuk Snowdan anak Lawan PRS Balai Ringin Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu PBB Layar Datuk Dr. Ripin bin Lamat PBB Lambir Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus PBB Bekenu Datuk Ricky @ Mohd Razi bin Sitam PBB Saribas Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr. Haji Annuar bin Rapaee PBB Nangka Datuk Francis Harden anak Hollis SUPP Simanggang
List of cabinets
Cabinet Term began Term ended Cabinet composition Legislativeterm 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Stephen I 1963 1966 Alliance 7th Tawi Sli I 1966 1966 Alliance Stephen II 1966 1966 SNAP Tawi Sli II 1966 1970 Alliance Rahman I 1970 1974 Alliance 8th BN Rahman II 1974 1979 BN 9th Rahman III 1979 1981 BN 10th Taib I 1981 1983 BN Taib II 1983 1987 BN 11th Taib III 1987 1991 BN 12th Taib IV 1991 1996 BN 13th Taib V 1996 2001 BN 14th Taib VI 2001 2006 BN 15th Taib VII 2006 2011 BN 16th Taib VIII 2011 2014 BN 17th Adenan I 2014 2016 BN Adenan II 8 May 2016 11 January 2017 BN – UPP 18th Abang Johari I 11 January 2017 3 January 2022 BN – UPP (2017–2018) GPS – PSB (2018–2019)GPS (2019–2021)Abang Johari II 4 January 2022IncumbentGPS 19th
See also Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Premier of Sarawak Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
References
External links Sarawak State Government