Order of precedence in Sabah explained

The Sabah order of precedence is a hierarchy of important positions within the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It has no legal standing but is used by ceremonial protocol. The order of precedence is determined by the State Order of Precedence issued by the Sabah Chief Minister's Department. The latest one was issued on 1 September 1996 with amendments entered into force on 3 October 2003.[1] Unless otherwise noted, precedence among persons of equal rank is determined by seniority. As a general rule, spouses share the same rank with another and a person with two positions will take the highest one.

Details

The following lists precedence of offices and their holders .

Colour legend
Heads and deputy heads of states
Members of the Federal and State Administrations
Members of the Federal and State Legislatures
Members of the Judiciary
Diplomats
Civil service, military and police members
Others

State-level ceremonies

RankPositionIncumbent
1GovernorJuhar Mahiruddin
2Chief MinisterHajiji Noor MLA, Minister of Finance
3Former GovernorsBy departure from office: Ahmadshah Abdullah (31 December 2010)
4Grand Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN)[2] See above[3]
5Grand Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (SSM)None from Sabah
6Former acting Governors and widows of former Governors
  1. Rahimah Stephens, widow of Mohammad Fuad Stephens
  2. Siti Rukaiyah Abdullah, widow of Sakaran Dandai
7Speaker of the Legislative AssemblyKadzim M. Yahya
8Deputy Chief Ministers
  1. Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan MP MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry
  2. Dr. Joachim Gunsalam MLA, Minister of Local Government and Housing
  3. Shahelmey Yahya MP MLA, Minister of Works
9Federal MinistersFrom Sabah:
  1. Ewon Benedick MP MLA, Minister of Entrepreneurship Development and Co-operatives
  2. Armizan Mohd. Ali MP, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah-Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties)
10Ministers of StateCabinet ministers:
  1. Masidi Manjun MLA, Minister of Finance
  2. Jahid Jahim MLA, Minister of Rural Development
  3. Christina Liew Chin Jin MLA, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment
  4. Phoong Jin Zhe MLA, Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship
  5. Dr. Mohd. Arifin Mohd. Arif MLA, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
  6. James Ratib MLA, Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing
  7. Ellron Alfred Angin MLA, Minister of Youth and Sports

Ministers outside Cabinet (placed below after the State Secretary):

  1. Rubin Balang MLA, Chairman of Sabah State Economic Development Corporation
  2. Masiung Banah MLA, Chairman of Housing and Town Development Authority of Sabah
  3. Dr. Yusof Yacob MLA, Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah Berhad
  4. Pandikar Amin Mulia, Sabah BIMP-EAGA Special Envoy
  5. Frankie Poon Ming Fung MLA, Chairman of Sabah Development Berhad
  6. Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar MLA, Director of Sabah Foundation
  7. Senator Anifah Aman, Chairman of Labuan Corporation
11Former Chief MinistersBy departure from office:
  1. Mohd. Harris Salleh (22 April 1985)
  2. Joseph Pairin Kitingan (17 March 1994)
  3. Mohd. Salleh Mohd. Said MLA (28 May 1996)
  4. Yong Teck Lee MLA (28 May 1998)
  5. Bernard Giluk Dompok (14 March 1999)
  6. Osu Sukam (27 March 2001)
  7. Chong Kah Kiat (27 March 2003)
  8. Musa Aman (12 May 2018)
  9. Mohd. Shafie Apdal MLA (28 September 2020)
12Chief Judge of Sabah and SarawakJustice Abdul Rahman Sebli
13State SecretarySr. Safar Untong
14Federal Secretary to the StateMakhzan Mahyuddin
15Army Eastern Field CommanderMajor General Razak Malek Sulaiman
16Navy Eastern Fleet CommanderVice Admiral Muhammad Ruzelme Ahmad Fahimy
17State Police CommissionerJauteh Dikun
18Deputy Speakers of the Legislative Assembly
  • Richard Yong We Kong
  • Al Hambra Juhar
19Assistant Ministers of State[4] See here
20Judges of the High Court[5] Refer to the Registry General of the Federal Court
21Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
22Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
23Grand Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
24Senators and Members of the House of Representatives[6] Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
25Members of the Legislative Assembly[7] Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
26Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
27Consul-General of Indonesia in Kota KinabaluRafail Walangitan[8]
28Chairpersons of Commission established under the State Constitution[9] Sukarti Wakiman, Chairman of State Public Service Commission
29State Attorney-GeneralNor Asiah Mohd. Yusof
30Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of FinanceMohd. Sofian Alfian Nair
31Deputy State Secretaries
  • Diyanah Abdullah (Administration)
  • Dr. Ahemad Sade (Development)
  • Sapdin Ibrahim (Special Duties)
32Chairpersons of State Statutory BodiesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
33State MuftiBungsu Aziz Jaafar
34Accredited Consuls, Honorary Consuls and Honorary Representatives of foreign statesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
35Permanent Secretaries of State Ministries[10] Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
36Presidents of Municipal CouncilsBy date of incorporation:
37Grade 52 officers[11] Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
38State Political SecretariesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
39Bishops and religious leadersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
40Justices of PeaceRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
41Companions of the Order of Kinabalu (ASDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
42Members of Commission established under the State Constitution
  1. Claudius Roman, Deputy Chairman
  2. Idrus Shafie
  3. Mariam Omar
  4. Janet Chee Ken Liam
  5. Halima Nawab Khan
  6. Awang Shamsi Jamih
  7. Ariffin Gadait
  8. Iman Ali
43Grade 41 to 51 officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
44Members of the Order of Kinabalu (ADK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
45Members of the First Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BSK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
46Members of the Second Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division

Federal-level ceremonies

RankPositionIncumbent
1Yang di-Pertuan AgongSee Malaysian order of precedence
2Raja Permaisuri AgongSee Malaysian order of precedence
3GovernorSee the above list
4Rulers of royal StatesSee Malaysian order of precedence
5Governors of non-royal StatesSee Malaysian order of precedence
6Prime MinisterSee Malaysian order of precedence
6AHeirs to the Thrones of royal StatesSee Malaysian order of precedence
7Deputy Prime MinisterSee Malaysian order of precedence
8Chief MinisterSee the above list
8AHead of other State GovernmentsSee Malaysian order of precedence
9Former GovernorsSee the above list
10Grand Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN)Refer here
11Grand Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (SSM)Refer here
12Former acting Governors and widows of former GovernorsSee the above list
13Chief JusticeSee Malaysian order of precedence
14President of the SenateSee Malaysian order of precedence
15Speaker of the House of RepresentativesSee Malaysian order of precedence
16Speaker of the Legislative AssemblySee the above list
16ASpeaker of other Legislative AssembliesSee Malaysian order of precedence
17Deputy Chief MinistersSee the above list
18Federal MinistersSee Malaysian order of precedence
19Ministers of StateSee the above list
19AMinisters of State (of Sarawak)Refer to Sarawak State Government
19BMembers of other State Executive CouncilsRefer to the respective State Government
20High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Ministers Plenipotentiary and Charge d'AffairesRefer here
21Chief Judges
22Chief Secretary to the GovernmentSee Malaysian order of precedence
23State SecretarySee the above list
23AOther State SecretariesRefer here
23BJustices of the Supreme CourtSee Malaysian order of precedence
23CDeputy President of the Senate and Deputy Speaker of the House of RepresentativesSee Malaysian order of precedence
24Federal Deputy MinistersSee Malaysian order of precedence
25Deputy Speakers of the Legislative AssemblySee the above list
26Assistant Ministers of StateSee here
26ADeputy Ministers of State (of Sarawak)Refer to Sarawak State Government
26BParliamentary SecretariesNone
27Federal Attorney-GeneralSee Malaysian order of precedence
28Chief of Defence ForceSee Malaysian order of precedence
29Inspector General of PoliceSee Malaysian order of precedence
30Secretary General, Federal Ministry of FinanceRefer to the Federal Ministry of Finance
31Director-General of Public ServiceRefer to the Prime Minister's Office
31APrime Ministers' Special AdvisorRefer to the Prime Minister's Office
31BPremier Grade 2 and 3 officersRefer here
32Judges of the High CourtSee the above list
32AGovernor of the Central BankSee Malaysian order of precedence
32BKeeper of the Rulers' SealSee Malaysian order of precedence
32CGrand ChamberlainSee Malaysian order of precedence
33Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN)Refer here
34Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM)Refer here
34AFormer Chief MinistersSee the above list
35Grand Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
36SenatorsRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
37Members of the House of RepresentativesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
38Members of the Legislative AssemblyRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
38AMembers of the other Legislative AssembliesRefer to the respective State Government
39Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
39ARoyal ProfessorNone
39BCommanders of the Most Distinguished Royal Family Order of Loyalty (PSD)Refer here
39CRecipients of state order bringing the title of Datuk or Dato'Refer to the respective State Government
40Consul-General of Indonesia in Sabah and SarawakSee the above list
41Chairpersons of Commission established under the State ConstitutionSee the above list
41AFederal Secretary to the StateSee the above list
42State Attorney-GeneralSee the above list
43Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of FinanceSee the above list
44Deputy State SecretariesSee the above list
45Chairpersons of State Statutory BodiesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
46Army Eastern Field and Navy Eastern Fleet CommandersSee the above list
47State Police CommissionerSee the above list
48State MuftiSee the above list
49Accredited Consuls, Honorary Consuls and Honorary Representatives of foreign statesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
50Super Grade A and B officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
51Secretaries-General of Federal MinistriesRefer here
51AUnited Nations Resident RepresentativeSee Malaysian order of precedence
52Presidents of Municipal CouncilsSee the above list
53Grade 45 and above officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
54State Political SecretariesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
54AFederal Political SecretariesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
55Bishops and religious leadersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
56Justices of PeaceRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
57Companions of the Order of Kinabalu (ASDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
58Members of Commission established under the State ConstitutionSee the above list
59Grade 41 to 44 officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
60Members of the Order of Kinabalu (ADK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
61Members of the First Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BSK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
62Members of the Second Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division

District-level ceremonies

RankPositionIncumbent
1GovernorSee the above list
2Chief MinisterSee the above list
3Presidents of Municipal CouncilsSee the above list
3ADistrict OfficersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
3BChairpersons of Town BoardsRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
3CChairpersons of District CouncilsRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
4Grand Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN)Refer here
5Grand Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (SSM)Refer here
6Ministers of StateSee the above list
7Assistant Ministers of StateSee the above list
7AJudges of the High CourtSee the above list
8Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN)Refer here
9Commanders of the Distinguished Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM)Refer here
10Grand Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
11Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
11ASenatorsRefer to the Parliament
11BMembers of the House of RepresentativesRefer to the Parliament
12Members of the Legislative AssemblyRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
12AAccredited Consuls of foreign statesRefer to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
13Grade 52 and above officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
14Political SecretariesRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
15District MagistratesRefer to the Registry of Sabah High Court
16Justices of PeaceRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
17Companions of the Order of Kinabalu (ASDK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
18Members of Commission established under the State ConstitutionSee the above list
19Division Police ChiefRefer to the Police State Contingent
19AOfficers-in-Charge of Police DistrictRefer to the Police District Office
20Armed Forces commanding officersRefer to the Armed Forces
21Grand QadhiRefer to the State Islamic Affairs Department
21ADivision QadhisRefer to the State Islamic Affairs Department
22Grade 41 to 51 officersRefer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
23Members of Municipal Councils[12] [13] Refer to the respective Municipal Council
23AMembers of Town BoardsRefer to the respective Town Board
23BMembers of District CouncilsRefer to the respective District Council
24Religious leadersRefer to the respective District Office
25District ChiefsRefer to the respective District Native Court
26Assistant District OfficersRefer to the respective District Office
27Community Development LeadersRefer to the respective District Office for Community Development
28Community Development OfficersRefer to the respective District Office for Community Development
29Native ChiefsRefer to the respective District Native Court
29ADistrict ImamsRefer to the respective District Office for Islamic Affairs
29BHeadmenRefer to the respective District Office for Community Development
30Chinese CaptainsRefer to the respective District Office
31Members of the Order of Kinabalu (ADK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
32Members of the First Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BSK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
33Members of the Second Class of the Medal of Kinabalu (BK)Refer to the State Protocol and Ceremonial Division
34Chairmen of Village Security and Development CommitteesRefer to the respective District Office
35Village ChiefsRefer to the respective District Office

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nota Susunan Bahagian Istiadat dan Protokol. www.sabah.gov.my. ms. 2018-09-12.
  2. Precedence is determined by date of investiture. Substantive recipients take precedence over honorary recipients.
  3. Recipients of this Order have been always former Governors.
  4. Precedence is determined by seniority of Ministers.
  5. Judicial Commissioners are included.
  6. Precedence is determined by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
  7. Precedence is determined by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
  8. Web site: KJRI Kota Kinabalu - Pejabat dan Staff. www.kemlu.go.id. en. 2018-09-11.
  9. The only commission established under the State Constitution has been the State Public Service Commission.
  10. Precedence is determined by the date of appointment. Substantive officers take precedence over acting officers. Permanent officers take precedence over contractual and temporary officers.
  11. Military and police officers are included.
  12. Members of local governments take precedence as determined by the Minister of State for Local Government and Housing and their respective local government.
  13. Kota Kinabalu City Advisors are included and take precedence over all members of local governments.