Government of Sarawak
The Sarawak Government is an authority governing Sarawak, one of the Borneo states of Malaysia, based in Kuching, the state capital. The state government adheres to and is created by both the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, the supreme law of Malaysia, and the Constitution of the State of Sarawak, the supreme law of the State.
| Sarawak Government | |
|---|---|
| Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak | |
 | |
| Overview | |
| Established | 22 July 1963 |
| State | Sarawak |
| Leader | Premier |
| Appointed by | Yang di-Pertua Negeri |
| Main organ | Cabinet of Sarawak |
| Ministries | 11 ministries |
| Responsible to | Legislative Assembly |
| Annual budget | RM 8.226 billion (2018)[1] |
| Headquarters | Wisma Bapa Malaysia Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia |
| Website | Official website |
The state government has only two branches: executive and legislative. Sarawak has no judiciary branch due to the federalisation of court system in Malaysia. Although Sarawak has jurisdictions towards Sharia and Native Courts (and their respective laws),[2][3] both courts are still considered a part of the state executive branch.
Legislative
The state legislature consists of only a unicameral house called the State Legislative Assembly. All 82 members of the Assembly are elected from single-member districts by universal adult suffrage. The Assembly follows a multi-party system and the governing body is elected through a first-past-the-post system. The State, however, may appoint up to 6 nominated members of the Assembly based on conditions provided by the State Constitution.
The Assembly has a maximum mandate of five years by law. The Governor may dissolve the state legislature at any time and usually does so upon the advice of the Premier.
Executive
Cabinet
Executive power vested in the Cabinet led by the Premier. The State Constitution stipulates that the Premier must be a member of the State Legislative Assembly who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, commands a majority in the State Legislative Assembly. The Cabinet is chosen among members of the State Legislative Assembly and is responsible to that body. The executive branch of the government consists of the Premier as the head of the government, followed by the various ministers of the Cabinet.
State departments, agencies and companies
Since 15 February 2022, Sarawak Government comprises the following ministries, which subsequently divided to following agencies:
| Ministry | State agencies |
|---|---|
| Chief Minister's Department | State departments:
State statutory boards:
State-owned companies: |
| Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development | State departments:
State statutory bodies:
State-owned companies: |
| Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development | State departments:
State statutory boards:
|
| Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment | State-owned companies:
|
| Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development | State departments:
State statutory bodies:
|
| Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development | State departments:
State statutory bodies: |
| Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government | State departments:
State statutory bodies:
|
| Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts | State departments:
State statutory bodies:
|
| Ministry of Transport | State statutory bodies:
|
| Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunication | State departments:
State statutory boards:
State-owned companies: |
| Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development | State departments:
State-owned companies: |
| Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development | State statutory bodies: |
Head of government
The Premier of Sarawak (Malay: Premier Sarawak) is the indirectly elected head of government of Sarawak. He is officially appointed by the Governor, who in His Excellency's judgement is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of State Legislative Assembly. He heads the State Cabinet, whose members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri on the advice of the Premier. The Premier and his Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to State Legislative Assembly. The Premier's Department is the body and ministry in which the Premier exercises its functions and powers.
References
- Rosly, Md Azrin. "70 peratus daripada peruntukan RM8.226 bilion Bajet 2018 Sarawak untuk pembangunan - Abang Johari". Utusan Online (in Malay). Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- Both courts are under the jurisdiction of the Chief Minister.
- Federal Constitution, Ninth Schedule, List IIA, Item 13.
