Yang di-Pertuan Negara
Encyclopedia
Yang di-Pertuan Negara, meaning "Head of State" in Malay
, was used as an official title at various times in Sabah
, Singapore
and Brunei
.
which granted Singapore internal self-government, the ceremonial post of Yang di-Pertuan Negara replaced the British
colonial Governor of Singapore as the representative of the British monarch in Singapore. Although the title had the literal meaning of head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara was constitutionally only acting (de facto) head of state as the vice-regal representative of the British monarch in Singapore, similar to Governors-General
of Commonwealth realms. The Queen
remained de jure head of state of Singapore until September 16, 1963.
Under a transitional arrangement, the last Governor of Singapore, Sir William Allmond Codrington Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from June 3, 1959, to December 3, 1959. He was succeeded by Yusof bin Ishak
, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's national flag
, coat of arms
, and national anthem
were adopted.
The title was retained when Singapore
became the fourteenth state of Malaysia in 1963. The office holder then acted as the vice-regal representative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
of Malaysia.
On August 9, 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation to become a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations
. On December 22 of that year, the Constitution was amended, changing the title to President
with retroactive effect from the date of independence.
of Sabah
, the Governor of Sabah was known by the formal title of Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 1963 until 1976 when the office was retitled Yang di-Pertua Negeri
.
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
, was used as an official title at various times in Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
.
Singapore
In 1959, following revisions to the ConstitutionConstitution of Singapore
The Constitution of Singapore is the supreme law of Singapore and it is a codified constitution.The constitution cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of the members of parliament on the second and third readings . The president may seek opinion on constitutional issues...
which granted Singapore internal self-government, the ceremonial post of Yang di-Pertuan Negara replaced the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
colonial Governor of Singapore as the representative of the British monarch in Singapore. Although the title had the literal meaning of head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara was constitutionally only acting (de facto) head of state as the vice-regal representative of the British monarch in Singapore, similar to Governors-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
of Commonwealth realms. The Queen
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
remained de jure head of state of Singapore until September 16, 1963.
Under a transitional arrangement, the last Governor of Singapore, Sir William Allmond Codrington Goode, served as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara from June 3, 1959, to December 3, 1959. He was succeeded by Yusof bin Ishak
Yusof bin Ishak
Yusof bin Ishak was an eminent Singaporean politician and the first President of Singapore of Minangkabau descent. His portrait appears on the Singapore Portrait Series currency notes introduced in 1999.-Early life:...
, who was sworn into office on the same day as the country's national flag
Flag of Singapore
The national flag of Singapore was first adopted in 1959, the year Singapore became self-governing within the British Empire. It was reconfirmed as the national flag when the Republic gained independence on 9 August 1965...
, coat of arms
Coat of arms of Singapore
The coat of arms of Singapore was adopted in 1959, the year Singapore became self-governing within the British Empire. The committee that created it, headed by then Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye, was also responsible for the national flag and the national anthem...
, and national anthem
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura is the national anthem of Singapore. Composed by Zubir Said in 1958 as a theme song for official functions of the City Council of Singapore, the song was selected in 1959 as the island's anthem when it attained self-government. Upon full independence in 1965, Majulah Singapura...
were adopted.
The title was retained when Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
became the fourteenth state of Malaysia in 1963. The office holder then acted as the vice-regal representative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaysia.
On August 9, 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation to become a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. On December 22 of that year, the Constitution was amended, changing the title to President
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
with retroactive effect from the date of independence.
- William GoodeWilliam Allmond Codrington GoodeSir William Allmond Codrington Goode GCMG was a British colonial officer and served as governor to various colonies in the 20th Century...
- June 3, 1959 to December 3, 1959 - Yusof bin IshakYusof bin IshakYusof bin Ishak was an eminent Singaporean politician and the first President of Singapore of Minangkabau descent. His portrait appears on the Singapore Portrait Series currency notes introduced in 1999.-Early life:...
- December 3, 1959 to August 9, 1965
Brunei
In Brunei, the Sultan of Brunei is also known as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Brunei.Sabah
In the Malaysian stateStates of Malaysia
Malaysia is a federation which consists of thirteen states and three federal territories . Eleven states and two federal territories are located on the Malay Peninsula while the remaining two states and one federal territory are on the island of Borneo.-The states and federal territories:Malaysia...
of Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, the Governor of Sabah was known by the formal title of Yang di-Pertuan Negara from 1963 until 1976 when the office was retitled Yang di-Pertua Negeri
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the official title of the ceremonial heads of state of the Malaysian states without hereditary rulers, namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak...
.