Abang Muhammad Salahuddin

Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Patinggi
Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng
Abang Muhammad Salahuddin in 2011.
6th Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak
In office
22 February 2001 – 28 February 2014
Preceded by Ahmad Zaidi Adruce
Succeeded by Abdul Taib Mahmud
3rd Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak
In office
2 April 1977 – 2 April 1981
Preceded by Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman
Succeeded by Abdul Rahman Ya'kub
Personal details
Born 27 August 1921
Kampung Nangka, Sibu, Kingdom of Sarawak
Spouse(s) Toh Puan Hajjah Dayang Umi Kalthum (deceased)
Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah
Children 12
Residence The Astana, Kuching
Religion Islam

Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin bin Abang Barieng is third and sixth Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. He is the first person to serve as Governor twice.[1][2] He is also fondly known as Abang Louis, by his old friends and acquaintances, especially in his hometown of Sibu. His term officially ended on 28 February 2014, and succeeded by the former Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud on 1 March.

Early life

Salahuddin,or Abang Louis is the only son of the late Abang Barieng bin Abang Anyut, a Melanau community leader and a well-known figure in the Third Division (present-day Sibu Division).

After the Japanese occupation, he worked as Municipal Inspector until 1947 under the new British colonial administration. He continued in the public service under the National Registration Department and the Public Works Department.

Abang Muhammad is married twice first with late Toh Puan Hajjah Dayang Umi Kalthum,and later Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah, and they have 9 children, and 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.One of his children,Datin Hajjah Dayang Fatiyah, had been appointed as the first female 'Penghulu' for the Kampung Nangka & Kampung Banyok area in Sibu.

Political career

He was active in state politics, helping to form Barisan Pemuda Sarawak (BPS) and Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA). Salahuddin acted as representative of the Melanau community to the Cobbold Commission during the years preceding the formation of Malaysia.

In 1963, he contested and won a seat in the state elections. However, he resigned in 1968 and returned to public service. He eventually became Chairman of the State Public Service Commission.

Governorship

In 1977, he was installed as the third Governor of Sarawak and served for a term of four years. In 2000, he became Acting Governor while the Governor Ahmad Zaidi Adruce was ill. Zaidi Adruce died in December 2000, and Salahuddin was reappointed permanently to the governorship in February 2001, and his term officially ended on 28 February 2014.

Awards and recognitions

He has been awarded :[3]

He holds the usual Malay title of "Tun Datuk Patinggi" by combining the highest title of Malaysia and the highest title of Sarawak. But in other parts of Malaysia, he holds other titles. See details below.

Honours of Sarawak

Honours of Malaysia

Salahuddin was bestowed the nation's highest award – the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara which carries the title Tun, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 7 June 1978.

References

  1. ↑ "Services of heads of state of Sarawak, Sabah extended". New Straits Times. 5 December 2006. p. 11.
  2. ↑ Sarawak governor’s tenure extended by one more year The Star. 29 November 2008
  3. ↑ List of malaysian rulers as of January 2013, with mention of orders

Notes

  1. Who's who 82/83 (First Edition), Sarawak Publishing House Sdn.Bhd., Kuching, Malaysia.
Preceded by
Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman		 Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak
1977–1981 		Succeeded by
Abdul Rahman Ya'kub
Preceded by
Ahmad Zaidi Adruce		 Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak
2001–2014 		Succeeded by
Abdul Taib Mahmud