Sungai Siput Native Becomes First Governor of Melaka
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka is the official title for the head and ruler of Melaka. Those holding this position are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after receiving advice from the Chief Minister of Melaka, as stipulated in the Melaka State Constitution.
According to the Melaka State Constitution, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri exercises executive power and makes decisions based on the advice of the Cabinet or the Chief Minister. However, those holding this position may also act at their own discretion in carrying out certain functions, such as appointing the Chief Minister and withholding consent for requests to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. It is worth noting that the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka is essential for all laws passed by the State Legislative Assembly. Thus, we can understand the extent of their power and the weight of the duties held by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka. As we are all aware, the state of Melaka, which was once glorious throughout the Nusantara, no longer has a king or sultan today. This was due to the Portuguese attack on Melaka starting on August 10, 1511, and their successful full conquest of the state on August 24, 1511.
For the information of our loyal readers at orangperak.com, the Melaka Sultanate ruled the state for 110 years until they were defeated by the Portuguese colonizers in 1511. Therefore, after the country gained independence on August 31, 1957, the position of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka was established. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka is also a member of the Conference of Rulers. Every meeting he attends is accompanied by the Chief Minister of Melaka. What distinguishes them from other state rulers is that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka cannot vote to elect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and cannot chair meetings of the Conference of Rulers.
When Malaysia was formed in 1957 after independence, Tun Leong Yew Koh was appointed as the first Governor of Melaka. Today, the title of Governor of Melaka has been changed to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka, as we see today. Tun Leong Yew Koh, who was appointed as the first Governor of Melaka, was Chinese and the first individual to hold the position of Governor of Melaka. There are several other states in Malaysia that do not have a Sultan, such as Melaka, including Penang, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.
The first Governor of Melaka, Tun Leong Yew Koh, was born in Salak Utara, located in Sungai Siput, Perak, on August 22, 1888. He was the son of Leong Yew Teen, who was the individual responsible for developing and advancing the Salak Utara area in Sungai Siput, Perak. Tun Leong Yew Koh received his early education in Canton, China, and at the age of 13, he returned to Malaya from China and studied at the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh, before continuing his studies at St. Xavier's Institution in Penang.
At the age of 20, in 1908, Tun Leong Yew Koh pursued higher education at University College and Inner Temple, London, to study economics, sociology, political science, and law. He graduated with distinction in 1912, and in 1920, Tun Leong Yew Koh began working as a solicitor in the Federation of Malaya. The first Governor of Melaka, Tun Leong Yew Koh, passed away on January 12, 1963, at the age of 75 in Petaling Jaya. His remains were buried at the Jalan Cheras cemetery on January 13, 1963, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia at that time, Tunku Abdul Rahman, was also present to pay his final respects.
