Fadillah Yusof: The First Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from the State of Sarawak

Society · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born into a family shaped by anti-colonial activism, Fadillah Yusof has ascended to the second-highest political office in Malaysia. As the first Deputy Prime Minister from Sarawak, his career spans decades of infrastructure development, legal practice, and navigating the complex shifts of the Malaysian parliamentary landscape since 2004.

Fadillah Yusof, born in 1962 in Sibu, Sarawak, entered the political arena with a background rooted in his father’s history of resistance against British colonial administration. His father, Yusof Merais, faced imprisonment twice: once following the 1949 killing of a British governor and again during the regional tensions surrounding the 1962 establishment of Malaysia. This early exposure to political struggle preceded Fadillah's own academic path, where he earned a law degree from the University of Malaya in 1986.

His political career began in earnest when he joined Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in 1989. After winning the Petra Jaya parliamentary seat in 2004, he moved through various ministerial roles, most notably as Minister of Works. During his tenure, he managed massive infrastructure projects, including the Pan Borneo Sarawak Highway. This project, launched in 2015 with an estimated cost of RM16.5 billion, underwent significant shifts in procurement models, moving from a project delivery partner structure to a conventional approach under the Public Works Department.

Fadillah’s influence grew as he navigated the volatile political climate of the early 2020s, including the 2020 Sheraton Move and the subsequent formation of the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional administrations. As a senior minister, he oversaw the construction sector’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing health protocols and navigating supply chain disruptions.

Beyond his executive duties, Fadillah has been a key figure in parliamentary strategy, serving as the chief whip for his coalition. His career reflects the broader evolution of Malaysian politics, moving from the dominance of traditional coalitions to the current era of unity governments. Today, he continues to hold significant cabinet responsibilities, including his role in energy transition and water transformation, marking a long trajectory from his early days as a student activist helping peers in Kuala Lumpur.

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