Yang di-Pertuan Negara (English: (he) who is Lord of the State) is a title for the head of state in certain Malay-speaking countries, and has been used as an official title at various times in Brunei and Singapore.

Sabah

The head of state of Sabah was once known as Yang Di-Pertua Negara and later known as Yang Di-Pertua Negeri.[1]

Sarawak

The head of state of Sarawak was once known as Yang Di-Pertua Negara and later known as Yang Di-Pertua Negeri.[1]

Singapore

Background

Following revisions to the Constitution in 1959, which granted Singapore self-governance from the United Kingdom, the ceremonial office of Yang di-Pertuan Negara replaced the colonial office of Governor as the representative of the British monarch in Singapore, though the term 'governor' was also commonly used to refer to the office bearer.

Although the Yang di-Pertuan Negara was the title for the head of state, constitutionally he is only a de jure chief executive, acting as a vice-regal representative in lieu of a typical Governor-General.[2]

Under a transitional arrangement, the last governor of Singapore, Sir William Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 3 June 1959 to 3 December 1959.[3] He was succeeded by Yusof Ishak, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's state flag, coat of arms, and national anthem were adopted.

The title was retained on 31 August 1963 when Singapore declare unilateral declaration of independence from the United Kingdom and accession to Malaysia as a state on 16 September 1963 (not to be confused with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah). The officeholder then acted as the vice-regal representative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.[2]

On 9 August 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation to become an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. On 22 December of that year, the Constitution was amended to make the country a republic, and had changed the title to President with retroactive effect from the date of independence.[4]

List of officeholders

№ Portrait Name
(Born–Died)		 Term of Office Origin Background or
Previous Appointment		 Monarch Ref
Took Office Left Office Duration
1Sir William Goode
(1907–1986)		3 June 19592 December 19595 monthsMiddlesex, EnglandChief Secretary of Singapore, Governor of Singapore

Elizabeth II

 [5][6]
2Yusof Ishak
(1910–1970)		3 December 19599 August 19653 years, 9 monthsTaiping, PerakChairman of the Public Service Commission of Singapore

Elizabeth II
(Until 15 September 1963)
Putra of Perlis
(From 16 September 1963)

 [7][8]

Brunei

In Brunei, the Sultan of Brunei is also known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

The full title for the head of state and head of government of Brunei is Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Granville-Edge, P. J. (1999). The Sabahan: The Life And Death of Tun Fuad Stephens. ISBN 978-983-40114-0-6.
  2. 1 2 The head of state in Singapore: An historical perspective in Managing Political Change in Singapore: The Elected Presidency', Kevin Tan, Peng Er Lam, Routledge, 1997, page 9
  3. ↑ The Istana, K. K. Seet, Peter Mealin, Times Editions, 2000, page 88
  4. ↑ Republic of Singapore Independence Act (Original Enactment: Act 9 of 1965)
  5. ↑ "No. 41726". The London Gazette. 5 June 1959. p. 3629.
  6. ↑ "Farewell in the rain for Goode". The Straits Times. 3 December 1959. p. 12.
  7. ↑ "Yusof Ishak: The man and his passions". AsiaOne. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Straits Times: Iseas to be named after Yusof Ishak on Aug 12". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Chancellory - Universiti Brunei Darussalam". Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
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