The deputy premier, previously known as the deputy chief minister until 28 February 2022, is the second-highest-ranking officer in the executive branch of the Sarawak government after the premier of Sarawak.

There have been 14 Sarawak deputy premiers since the office was created in 1963. There are currently three incumbent deputy premiers: Douglas Uggah Embas, who has served since 13 May 2016; Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who has served since 6 May 2017; and Sim Kui Hian, who has served since 4 January 2022. Alfred Jabu Numpang is the longest-serving holder of the office, having served for more than 41 years before retiring in 2016. James Jemut Masing is the only officeholder to have died in office.

The composition of the deputy chief ministership has changed over time. In the early period of self-government, deputy chief ministers were appointed from among leaders of the major political parties in the governing coalition and included representatives of different ethnic communities in Sarawak. The office of chief minister has been held by politicians of Melanau or Malay background since Tawi Sli succeeded Stephen Kalong Ningkan in 1966, with the exception of Ningkan's tenure from 1963 to 1966.

Following the 2011 state election, the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) lost several urban constituencies, including the seat held by then-deputy chief minister II and SUPP president George Chan Hong Nam. Following the election, Chief Minister Taib Mahmud appointed Alfred Jabu Numpang as the sole deputy chief minister. The office remained without a Chinese representative during the administration of Taib's successor, Adenan Satem.

In December 2021, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari appointed Sim Kui Hian as deputy chief minister III, with the appointment taking effect in January 2022. This restored Chinese representation among the deputy chief ministers. Sim Kheng Hong and Sim Kui Hian are the first and only father-son pair to have held the office to date.

The deputy premier is 12th in the order of precedence, which determines the ceremonial ranking of government officials and other dignitaries at diplomatic, ceremonial and social events within Sarawak.

Deputy premiers

+ NameTermPartyCoalitionElectionChief Minister / Premier1Datuk Amar22 July 1963–17 June 1966()Sarawak National Party (SNAP)Alliance Party1963224 September 1966–7 July 1970()National Party of Sarawak (PANAS)19663Tan Sri Datuk Amar7 July 1970–14 September 1974()Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)19704Datuk7 July 1970–July 1973()Sarawak Native's Heritage Party (PESAKA)5Tan Sri Datuk Amar18 September 1974–9 September 1991()Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)National Front (BN)19746Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr19 September 1974–12 May 2016()United Bumiputera Heritage Party (PBB)7Datuk Amar11 November 1976–June 1980()Sarawak National Party (SNAP)8Dato Sri23 March 1981–10 March 1987()1979Sarawak Native People's Party (PBDS)19839Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr30 January 1994–7 September 1996()Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)199110Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr9 September 1996–16 April 2011()199611Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr13 May 2016–31 October 2021()Sarawak Peoples' Party (PRS)2016Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS)12Datuk Amar13 May 2016–Incumbent()United Bumiputera Heritage Party (PBB)13Datuk Amar6 May 2017–Incumbent()14Datuk Amar Prof. Dr4 January 2022–Incumbent()Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)2021

Timeline

See also 1966 Sarawak constitutional crisis 1987 Ming Court Affair

References