[UPDATED] Bill to rename S’wak CM to ‘premier’ tabled, expected to lift state’s status: minister

MIRI – The Sarawak government has tabled the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022, which seeks to change the designation of the state government’s top executive from “chief minister” to “premier”.

If passed, it is expected to place Sarawak’s status above that of other states in the Federation of Malaysia.

The term will make Sarawak an equal partner with Malaya, said state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah who tabled the bill for second reading today.

He told the state assembly sitting in Kuching that the term premier is higher than the chief minister status.

“The change of term to ‘premier’ is in line with the recent amendment to the federal constitution with regard to the terms on the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said.

“The amendment means that 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,” he said.

Sabah and Sarawak had been downgraded to mere states in the constitutional amendment made in 1976, which many East Malaysian MPs claim was a violation of the federal constitution as stated in article 161E.

The bill also proposes an amendment to Article 7A to change the designation of “assistant minister” to “deputy minister”. This would impact all 26 assistant ministers currently working in the state.

If passed, the ordinance shall come into force on a date appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri by notification in the gazette.

Karim is state assemblyman for Asajaya. He is from Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu, the backbone of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.

Today marks the first day of sitting of 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 GPS and six from the opposition.

The opposition members comprise four from Parti Sarawak Bersatu and two from Sarawak DAP. – The Vibes, February 15, 2022