Fadillah Yusof

Early life and education

Fadillah bin Yusof was born on 17 April 1962 in Kampung Hilir, Sibu, Sarawak, and is the ninth of 14 siblings. His father, Yusof Merais, was involved in the anti-cession movement in Sarawak, opposing British colonial rule after 1946. Yusof was active in the Malay youth movement and later the Sarawakian youth front, and was imprisoned twice — first in connection with the 1949 assassination of British Governor Duncan Stewart, and again during the 1962 confrontation over the formation of Malaysia. During his imprisonment, Fadillah's mother, Dayang Rosnah Abang Madeli, worked as a domestic helper and seamstress to support the family.

Fadillah and his siblings helped contribute to the family's income by collecting and selling farm produce. He began his education at St. Mary's Primary School in Sibu before continuing at Panglima Bukit Gantang Secondary School in Parit Buntar, Perak. This move was made possible through a scholarship from Yayasan Sarawak, which also included a student exchange programme.

In 1986, Fadillah completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in both Civil and Sharia law at the University of Malaya. During his time there, he often helped new Sarawakian students settle into university life, sometimes prioritising their needs even when it affected his own schedule.

Early career

After graduation, Fadillah practiced law briefly in Kuala Lumpur before returning to Sarawak. His work there gradually involved advising elected representatives and those involved in politics, which eventually led him to serve as an independent legal advisor for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). In 1989, he joined politics as a member of PBB, which at that time was a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

Political career

Fadillah first ran for parliament in the 11th Malaysian general election, having previously been an official in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and a lawyer. He won the election for the seat of Petra Jaya.

After being re-elected in the 12th Malaysian general election, Fadillah was appointed Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

After the 13th Malaysian general election, Fadillah was promoted to full minister as Minister of Works under the new Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Following the defeat of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th Malaysian general election, Fadillah was made chief whip of the opposition Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) in the House of Representatives of Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister

In the 2022 general election, Fadillah managed to retain his seat, this time with a significantly larger majority. Following the elections, no single party secured a majority to form the federal government. Consequently, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah proposed the formation of a unity government, with Anwar Ibrahim eventually appointed as its leader on 24 November 2022.

In a cabinet announcement on 2 December 2022, Fadillah was appointed Deputy Prime Minister alongside Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Simultaneously, he was assigned the role of Minister of Plantation and Commodities. Fadillah's appointment is of historic significance as he is the first individual from Sarawak to hold the country's second-highest political office since the formation of Malaysia. Sarawak is one of the East Malaysian states.

Personal life

Fadillah is married to Ruziah Mohd Tahir. The couple has five children.

Election results

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

• Malaysia
  • [[File:MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV ribbon.svg|50px]] Recipient of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2017)
  • [[File:MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVII ribbon.png|50px]] Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2024)
• Malacca
  • [[File:MY-MAL Exalted Order of Malacca.svg|50px]] Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (2014)
• Pahang
  • [[File:MY-PAH Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang - Grand Knight - SSAP.svg|50px]] Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2014)
• Perlis
  • [[File:MY-PERL Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon bar.png|50px]] Recipient of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail Silver Jubilee Medal (2025)
• Sarawak
  • [[File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of the Hornbill (Bintang Kenyalang) - 2. Knight Commander (DA).svg|50px]] Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DA) – Datuk Amar (2025)
  • [[File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 2 ribbon PNBS -JBS-PBS-ABS-BBS.svg|50px]] Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (2022)
  • [[File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of the Hornbill (Bintang Kenyalang) - 3. Commander (PGBK).svg|50px]] Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (PGBK) – Datuk (2010)
  • [[File:MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 2 ribbon PNBS -JBS-PBS-ABS-BBS.svg|50px]] Member of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (ABS)
  • [[File:MY-SAR Sarawak Independence Golden Jubilee Medal.png|50px]] Recipient of the Sarawak Independence Golden Jubilee Medal (2013)
  • [[File:MY-SAR Sarawak Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal.png|50px]] Gold Medal of the Sarawak Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal (2023)

Notes

References

References

1. "Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Y.B. Tuan Haji". [[Parliament of Malaysia]].
2. "Deputy Minister: YB Tuan Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof". Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
3. (6 December 2019). "Four new select committees formed, one headed by opposition". [[Malaysiakini]].
4. Abdullah, Maria Chin. (4 December 2019). "Maria Chin Abdullah".
5. "Works Minister Fadillah Yusof tests positive for Covid-19, undergoing home quarantine".
6. (18 March 2004). "Plight of 13-year-old draws Fadillah into politics". [[Utusan]].
7. (31 March 2008). "PBB Had Hoped For More Ministers in Federal Cabinet, Says Abang Johari". [[Bernama]].
8. (16 May 2013). "Yusof's promotion to Works Minister is icing on the cake". ABN News.
9. "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". [[Election Commission of Malaysia]].
10. (8 October 2014). "Hishammuddin dahului 781 penerima darjah kebesaran Negeri Melaka". [[Berita Harian]].
11. (26 October 2014). "80 terima darjah kebesaran". [[Harian Metro]].
12. Samuel Aubrey. (11 October 2025). "Fadillah heads TYT’s birthday honours list, conferred ‘Datuk Amar’ title". The Borneo Post.
13. Mohd Roji Kawi. (8 October 2022). "PM dahului senarai penerima darjah kebesaran Sarawak".
14. (19 October 2010). "Sarawak Yang DiPertua Negeri's Birthday Honours list 2010". [[The Star (Malaysia).
15. (17 October 2010). "Award comes with greater responsibility – Fadillah". [[The Borneo Post]].
16. (16 August 2023). "Fadillah dahului senarai penerima pingat 60 Tahun Sarawak Merdeka". [[Berita Harian]].