In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 17 April 1962
- Birthplace
- Sibu, Sarawak
- Country
- Malaysia
- Nationality
- Malaysian
- Known for
- Becoming the first Malaysian deputy prime minister from Sarawak
- Full name
- Fadillah bin Yusof
- Current offices
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation
- Parliament
- Member for Petra Jaya since 2004
- Historic first
- First deputy prime minister from Sarawak
Why this life matters
Fadillah’s appointment placed Sarawak representation at the highest level of federal government and made the Malaysia Agreement and federal-state relations more visible in cabinet leadership.
Timeline
Key moments
Born in Sibu
Born on 17 April and raised in Sarawak.
Graduated in law
Completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Malaya and later practised as a lawyer.
Entered Parliament
Won the Petra Jaya seat in Kuching and began continuous service in the Dewan Rakyat.
Joined the federal administration
Became deputy minister of science, technology and innovation.
Became works minister
Took responsibility for federal infrastructure and construction policy.
Appointed senior minister
Returned as works minister with responsibility for coordinating the infrastructure cluster.
Became deputy prime minister
Made history as the first holder of the office from Sarawak and East Malaysia.
Took the energy-transition portfolio
Became minister responsible for energy transition and water transformation after a cabinet reshuffle.
A Sarawak legal career
Fadillah Yusof was born in Sibu in 1962. He completed a law degree at the University of Malaya in 1986 and worked as a lawyer before entering national politics.
He won Petra Jaya in the 2004 general election. The Kuching-based seat became the foundation for a federal career shaped by Sarawak politics and the growing importance of state-based coalitions in Parliament.
Infrastructure and cabinet experience
Fadillah entered the federal administration as deputy science, technology and innovation minister in 2008. In 2013 he became works minister, overseeing a portfolio that touches highways, public buildings, engineering standards and national construction policy.
He returned to the works portfolio in 2020 and also served as a senior minister coordinating infrastructure. These assignments made large-scale delivery and federal-state coordination recurring themes of his cabinet career.
A historic appointment in 2022
In December 2022 Fadillah was appointed deputy prime minister in Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government. He became the first person from Sarawak—and from East Malaysia—to hold the office.
He was appointed alongside Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, making the government the first in Malaysian history to have two deputy prime ministers at the same time. Fadillah initially also held the plantation and commodities portfolio.
Energy transition and federal balance
A December 2023 reshuffle moved Fadillah to the energy transition and water transformation ministry. The portfolio combines energy-system change with water governance, two policy areas that require coordination across federal and state authorities.
As of 31 August 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament continued to list him as deputy prime minister and minister. His position also keeps Sarawak’s role, the Malaysia Agreement and regional representation close to the centre of federal decision-making.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Fadillah Yusof
- Who is Fadillah Yusof?
- Fadillah Yusof is a deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. Fadillah’s appointment placed Sarawak representation at the highest level of federal government and made the Malaysia Agreement and federal-state relations more visible in cabinet leadership.
- What is Fadillah Yusof best known for?
- Fadillah Yusof is best known for becoming the first Malaysian deputy prime minister from Sarawak.
- When and where was Fadillah Yusof born?
- Fadillah Yusof was born on 17 April 1962 in Sibu, Sarawak.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 31 August 2026.
- Prime Minister’s Office of MalaysiaList of Ministers
- Prime Minister’s Office of MalaysiaTwo deputy prime ministers and 25 ministers sworn in
- BernamaFadillah Yusof profile: first Sarawakian deputy prime minister
- Parliament of MalaysiaMember profile — Fadillah Yusof
- Wikimedia CommonsFadillah Yusof 2021 — image and licence record
