MIRI – Sarawak opposition lawmakers have termed the attempt by Gabungan Parti Sarawak to change the chief minister post to premier as unconstitutional and a self-glorification.
DAP assemblyman for Padungan, Chong Chien Jen, and Bakelalan assemblyman Baru Bian of Parti Sarawak Bersatu have both shot down the proposal.
“It is just shiok sendiri. The term premier has no value at all and cannot even be used outside Sarawak.
“It is a futile exercise,” said Chong, who is the Sarawak DAP chairman, during the state assembly session.
Baru Bian, who is a PSB supreme council member, said there is no provision for using the word premier in the state and country.
“The term premier is not stated as an official term recognised by the state constitution.
“It is not mentioned anywhere in the federal constitution either.
“Using that term may not even be constitutional,” he said in the debate session.
Earlier, the Sarawak government tabled the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022, to change the term of chief minister to premier.
This will put Sarawak above the status of other states in the Federation of Malaysia.
The term will make Sarawak be equal partners with Malaya, said minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah who tabled the bill for the second reading today.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts minister said in the state assembly sitting in Kuching that the term premier is higher than the status of chief minister.
“The change of term to premier is in line with the recent amendment to the federal constitution with regard to the terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“The amendment means the rights of Sarawak and Sabah are as equal partners in Malaysia.
“In other Commonwealth countries, the term premier is used to reflect this status,” said Karim who is state assemblyman for Asajaya from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, the backbone of Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
Today marks the first day of sitting for the new term of the 12th Sarawak Legislative Assembly following the conclusion of the state election in December.
The 82 state assembly representatives are made up of 76 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak and six from the opposition.
The opposition members include four from Parti Sarawak Bersatu and two from Sarawak DAP. – The Vibes, February 15, 2022
