Government of Sabah

Legislative

The state legislature consists of only a unicameral house called the State Legislative Assembly. All 60 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 Yang di-Pertua Negeri may dissolve the state legislature at any time and usually does so upon the advice of the Chief Minister.

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 10 May 2013, Sabah State Government comprises of the following ministries, which subsequently divided to departments, agencies (ticked with *) and state-owned companies (ticked with **):

Chief Minister's Department

Administration and Finance Division

Cabinet and Policy Division

Chief Minister's Office

Community Development Leaders' Unit

Government Printing Department

Institute for Development Studies, Sabah*

Internal Affairs and Research Office

Kota Kinabalu City Hall (Website)

Natural Resources Office

Office of the Deputy State Secretary (Administration)

Office of the Deputy State Secretary (Development)

Office of the State Mufti

Office of the State Secretary

Press and Publications Office

Protocol and Ceremony Division

Sabah Forestry Department

Sabah Forest Development Authority*

Sabah Foundation*

Sabah Lands and Surveys Department

Sabah Land Development Board*

Sabah State Archives Department

Sabah State Islamic Affairs Council*

Sabah State Islamic Affairs Department

Sabah State Liaison Office

Sabah State Public Sector Training Institute

Sabah State Public Service Department

Sawit Kinabalu Bhd.*

State Attorney-General's Chamber

State Economic Planning Unit

Ministry of Finance

Borneo Development Corporation (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd.**

Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Bhd.**

Sabah Credit Corporation*

State Treasurer's Department

State Computer Services Department

Usaha Maju Foundation**

Ministry of Rural Development

District Offices (Beaufort, Beluran, Keningau, Kinabatangan, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Kuala Penyu, Kudat, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Nabawan, Papar, Penampang, Pitas, Putatan, Ranau, Semporna, Tambunan, Telupid, Tenom, Tongod, Tuaran)

Subdistrict Offices (Banggi, Kemabong, Matunggong, Membakut, Menumbok, Pagalungan, Paitan, Sook, Tamparuli, Tungku)

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment

Sabah Parks* (Website)

Sabah Cultural Board*

Sabah Environment Protection Department

Sabah Museum Department

Sabah Tourism Board*

Sabah Wildlife Department (Website)

Ministry of Infrastructural Development

Sabah Ports Authority*

Ports and Harbours Department

Public Works Department

State Water Department

State Railway Department (Website)

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries

Department of Fisheries

Department of Irrigation and Drainage

Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry

Rural Development Corporation*

Sabah Fishermen and Fishery Development Corporation*

Sabah Rubber Industry Board*

Ministry of Local Government and Housing

Department of Sabah Native Affairs

Department of Town and Country Planning

District Councils (Beaufort, Beluran, Keningau, Kinabatangan, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Kuala Penyu, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Nabawan, Papar, Penampang, Pitas, Putatan, Ranau, Semporna, Tambunan, Telupid, Tenom, Tongod, Tuaran)

Municipal Councils (Sandakan and Tawau)

Native Court*

Native Affairs Council

Town Board (Kudat)

Urban and Housing Development Board*

Ministry of Industrial Development

Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park Sdn. Bhd.**

Industrial Development and Research Department

Sabah Economic Development Corporation*

Sabah Urban Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd.**

Ministry of Youth and Sports

Kinabalu Hostel*

Koperasi Serbaguna SANYA Bhd.**

Sabah State Sports Board*

Ministry of Resources Development and Information Technology

Human Resources Development Department

Sabah e-Desa Centre

Sabah State Library

Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn. Bhd.**

Sabah Net Sdn. Bhd.**

Sabah Skills and Technology Centre*

Non-ministerial bodies

State Legislative Assembly

State Palace

State Public Service Commission

Head of government

The Chief Minister of Sabah (Malay: Ketua Menteri Sabah) is the indirectly elected head of government of Sabah. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (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.