Sabah State Legislative Assembly

Lawmaking

In accordance with the traditions of the Westminster system, most laws originate with the cabinet (government bills) and are passed by the legislature after stages of debate and decision-making. Ordinary members may introduce privately (private members' bills), play an integral role in scrutinising bills in debate and committee and amending bills presented to the legislature by cabinet.

Officeholders

Chair occupants

Chair occupants of the assembly are appointed by the governor on the chief minister's advice. Kadzim M. Yahya (BN-UMNO) has been the speaker since 8 October 2020. He is assisted by two Deputy Speakers, Al Hambra Juhar (Independent) and Richard Yong We Kong (SAPP) who were both appointed on 19 June 2023.

Chief Minister

The Chief Minister of Sabah is appointed by the Governor of Sabah as the MLA likely to command the confidence of the majority in the assembly. He leads the Cabinet of Sabah, which is the executive branch of the state government. Following the 2025 Sabah State Elections, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor (GAGASAN-GRS), MLA for Sulaman, was appointed for a second term as Chief Minister.

Leader of the Opposition

The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest party represented in the State Assembly not forming the government. Following the 2025 Sabah State Elections, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd. Shafie Apdal (WARISAN), MLA for Senallang, is likely to be appointed as the leader of the Opposition in the new legislative term.

Officers

Speaker and Deputy Speaker

The Governor, on the advice of the Chief Minister, appoints one person from the membership of the Assembly or, in deviation from traditional Westminster practices, from non-members who are qualified to be elected as members of the Assembly, as the presiding officer of the Assembly, known as the Speaker, and another person from the membership of the Assembly to be Deputy Speaker. The lengths of their service are specified by the letters patent that appointed them; however, their term may end premature if they no longer qualify for the membership of the Assembly, they resign, or the Governor terminates their speakership on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Speaker is also disqualified from the chair if they have any personal interest in another organisation; the Deputy Speaker does not need to vacate their office if they have such interests, but is barred from presiding over any matter that affects their interests.

The Speaker or Deputy Speaker presides from a chair at the front of the chamber (opposite the entrance). A member who believes that a rule (or Standing Order) has been breached may raise a point of order, on which the Speaker makes a ruling that is not subject to any appeal. The Speaker may discipline members who fail to observe the rules of the Assembly. The Speaker or Deputy Speaker remain members of their respective parties while holding the speakership, but they are required by convention to act impartially while presiding over the Assembly. A Speaker or Deputy Speaker who is also an elected member of the Assembly retain voting rights, but by convention does not vote in proceedings they preside over except to break a tie, only doing so according to Speaker Denison's rule.

The following are the Speakers of the Sabah Legislative Assembly since 1963:

Secretary and Deputy Secretary

The Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Legislative Assembly are civil servants that serve as the chief advisers of procedural matters, as well as head the day-to-day administration of the Assembly. They serve a similar role to the Clerk of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, advising the Speaker on the rules and procedure of the Assembly, signing orders and official communications, and signing and endorsing bills. They are permanent officials and not members of the Assembly. The Governor has the sole power to appoint or remove them.

Other officers

The Serjeant-at-Arms maintains the law, order and security of the Assembly, within the chamber and on the premises of the Assembly building. The Serjeant-at-Arms also carries the ceremonial mace, a symbol of the authority of the Governor and of the Legislative Assembly, into the chamber each day in front of the Speaker, and the mace is laid upon the Table of the Assembly during sittings.

Committees

The Legislative Assembly uses committees for a variety of purposes, e.g. for the review of bills. Committees consider bills in detail, and may make amendments. Bills of great constitutional importance, as well as some important financial measures, are usually committed to the Committee of the Whole House, a body that includes all members of the Assembly. This committee sits in the main chamber itself.

Committees can also be created for any purpose – these are known as Select Committees. However, the Select Committees of the Assembly primarily handle administrative matters of the chamber. For example, the Selection and Standing Orders Committee meet to select members of other committees as well as consider changes to the Standing Orders; the Public Petitions Committee handles petitions of any matter from the public; and the Privileges Committee considers questions of parliamentary privilege, as well as matters relating to the conduct of the members. Committees need to be re-established at the beginning of each term.

List of Assemblies

Notes

References

References

1. "Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sabah".
2. Kamalul Arifin, Syah Hairizal. (2020-10-08). "Pentadbiran Hajiji lengkap hari ini". Astro Awani.
3. "Senarai Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri".
4. [http://www.lawnet.sabah.gov.my/lawnet/SubsidiaryLegislation/ConstitutionOfSabah(StandingOrdersOfTheLegislativeAssembly-SittingOfTheASsembly).pdf] {{Webarchive. link. (3 June 2016 (in Malay). Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabah.)
5. "Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sabah (PDF).".