The Head of State, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin, taking his oath of office, witnessed by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (left) and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjun. PHOTO: PENERANGAN

By PETER SIBON

KUCHING: The Head of State, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin took his oath of office, witnessed by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum at Dewan Lapau in the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
Salahuddin, 88, had earlier received his instrument of appointment from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur on November 19.
His re-appointment will be effective from December 5, this year.
Salahuddin was appointed the sixth Head of State in 2001 following the death of Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Mohamed Noor in 2000.
Salahuddiin was also the third Sarawak Head of State from 1977 to 1981, making him the only Head of State to hold the post twice.
Among those present to witness the ceremony were Salahuddin’s wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Norkiah, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Senator Dato Sri Empiang, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Cabinet Ministers, State Secretary Datuk Amar Haji Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, heads of government departments, and community leaders.