Government of Sarawak


The Sarawak Government is an authority governing Sarawak, one of 13 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.
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, 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 Chief Minister.

Executive

Cabinet

Executive power is vested in the Cabinet led by the Chief Minister. The State Constitution stipulates that the Chief Minister 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 Chief Minister as the head of the government, followed by the various ministers of the Cabinet.

State departments, agencies and companies

Since 6 May 2017, Sarawak Government comprises the following ministries, which subsequently divided to departments, agencies and state-owned companies :

Chief Minister's Department

No department, agency or state-owned companies

Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research

No department, agency or state-owned companies

Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development

The Chief Minister of 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 Chief Minister. The Chief Minister and his Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to State Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister's Department is the body and ministry in which the Chief Minister exercises its functions and powers.