Abang Muhammad Salahuddin

Tun Pehin Sri Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin bin Abang Barieng (né Louis anak Barieng; ابڠ محمد صلاح الدين بن ابڠ باريئڠ; 27 August 1921 – 28 January 2022) was a Malaysian politician who served as the third Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak from 1977 to 1981, and as the sixth Yang di-Pertua Negeri from 2001 to 2014.

He was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri to hold the post twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office.

Born in 1921 at Kampung Nangka, Sibu, Raj of Sarawak (present-day Sarawak, Malaysia) Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, or Abang Louis, was the only son of Abang Barieng Abang Anyut, a well-known figure in the Third Division (present-day Sibu Division), who had a bloodline with famous state leader Temenggung Jugah Barieng.

Abang Louis later changed his name to his Islam one after his conversion.

After the Japanese occupation, he worked as Municipal Inspector until 1947 under the new British colonial administration.

He continued in the public service under the National Registration Department and the Public Works Department.

Salahuddin was active in state politics, helping to form Barisan Pemuda Sarawak (BPS) and Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA).

He acted as representative of the Melanau community to the Cobbold Commission during the years preceding the formation of Malaysia.

In 1963, he contested and won a seat in the state elections.

He resigned in 1968 and returned to public service and eventually became Chairman of the State Public Service Commission.

In 1977, he was installed as the third Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak and served for his first term.

In 2000, he became the acting Yang di-Pertua Negeri while his successor Ahmad Zaidi Adruce was ill.

Ahmad Zaidi died in December 2000, and Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was reappointed permanently to the governorship in February 2001, and his term officially ended on 28 February 2014.

Salahuddin died at the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre in Petra Jaya, on 28 January 2022, at the age of 100.

He was buried at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching.