Abang Muhammad Salahuddin


Abang Muhammad Salahuddin bin Abang Barieng was a Malaysian politician who served as the third and sixth Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak from 1977 to 1981 and from 2001 to 2014. He was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri to serve twice and the oldest to be appointed.

Early life

Salahuddin was born Louis Barieng in 1921 at Kampung Nangka, a village in Sibu, Raj of Sarawak. He was the only son of Barieng Anyut, a well-known figure in the Third Division, who had a bloodline with the politician Jugah Barieng. Louis later changed his name to Abang Muhammad Salahuddin after his conversion to Islam.
After the Japanese occupation of British Borneo, he worked as Municipal Inspector until 1947 under the Crown Colony of Sarawak. He continued in the public service under the National Registration Department and the Malaysian [Public Works Department|Public Works Department].

Career

Politics

Salahuddin was active in state politics, helping to form Barisan Pemuda Sarawak and Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak. He 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. He resigned in 1968 and returned to public service and eventually became the chairman of the State Public Service Commission.

Governorship

In 1977, he was installed as the third Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak and served for his first term. In 2000, he became the acting Yang di-Pertua Negeri while his successor Ahmad Zaidi Adruce was ill. Ahmad Zaidi died in December 2000, and Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was reappointed permanently to the governorship in February 2001, and his term officially ended on 28 February 2014.

Death

Salahuddin died at the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre in Petra Jaya, on 28 January 2022, at the age of 100. He was buried at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia