MIRI – The change of the designation of the Sarawak chief minister to premier is not a move for self-glorification, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the move is instead to differentiate the status of Sarawak from the other states in the federation.
“I would just like to say that it is not a self-glorification (move) nor it is something for me, personally, to be proud of.
“The state government is of the view that the designation of the (Sarawak) head of government has to be different in style, compared with other states in the federation.
“(The change in designation) is to emphasise that Sarawak is different from the other states in Malaysia, and it is not for me. It is for Sarawak,” he said in his speech at the Federation of Chinese Association Sarawak’s Unity Year event here last night.
On February 15, the state assembly passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022, which contains a clause that changes the designation of ‘chief minister’ to ‘premier’, by a majority of more than two-thirds.
The amendments also change the title of assistant minister to deputy minister.
On February 16, the day after the tabling of the bill, state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the change of the designation of Sarawak chief minister to premier will only come into force after it is gazetted. – Bernama, February 20, 2022
