KUCHING, Feb 17: The recent title change from ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ to denote the head of the executive in Sarawak must also be reflected in the Federal Constitution to carry power, says Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
He said Article 160 of the Federal Constitution that refers to “Chief Minister” as the head of the executive in a State must be amended, otherwise the ‘Premier’ title would be unconstitutional outside Sarawak.
“For the title ‘Premier’ to be effectively more powerful vis-a-vis other states in Malaya, a Federal Constitution amendment must follow suit.
“He (Abang Johari) cannot just be known as a ‘premier’ in Sarawak but constitutionally outside Sarawak, he is still of the same status protocol ranking as all other Chief Ministers,” he said in a statement today.
The necessary amendments concerning the title change, he pointed out, was not tabled in Parliament during the constitutional amendments of Article 1(2) and Article 160 of the Federal Constitution in November 2021.
He voiced suspicion that the recent tabling of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was an afterthought or even oversight by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
“That is why I urge the Federal Law Minister who is also a Member of Parliament of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government to correct this and give more substantive force to this amendment by tabling another bill in Parliament to give recognition to this title under Article 160 of the Federal Constitution.
“And more importantly, table an amendment to Schedule 9 to devolve or decentralize powers concentrated at the federal government first, including certain policy-making and fiscal powers, in order for Sabah and Sarawak to achieve more tangible autonomy,” Dr Yii added. — DayakDaily
