By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 27: The ‘Premier’ title to designate the head of the Sarawak government will likely be gazetted some time in March, says Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“I was made to understand that the State government is going to materialise the matter very soon.
“I foresee it to be (materialised) in March,” he told the press after the closing ceremony for Power Aquatics Swimming Club (PASC) Inter-Club Swimming Challenge Trophy 2022 at Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre here today.
Abdul Karim who is also Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister further said that once the title is gazetted, the current Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will be officially addressed as ‘Premier of Sarawak’.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Ministers will be addressed as ‘Deputy Premier of Sarawak’.
“Apart from that, the assistant ministers will be called as deputy ministers,” Abdul Karim added.
On Feb 16, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 which contains a clause to change the designation of ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’.
It is understood that the change is to differentiate Sarawak’s status as an equal partner to Federation of Malaya and Sabah in the formation of Malaysia as enshrined under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) from the head of government titles for Malayan states.
Therefore, the State government is of the view that the designation of Sarawak’s head of government had to be different in style compared with other Malayan states because its status is not equal to states like Melaka or Penang, but equal to the whole of Malaya. — DayakDaily
