By Lian Cheng
“When we have this status, it doesn’t mean that we want to be proud. People say it’s because of glorification. It’s not glorification. It’s because of what we have signed before during the formation of Malaysia (referring to the Malaysia Agreement 1963), and it must be recognised.” Abang Johari (February 19, 2022)
MARCH 1, 2022, will echo through time as a defining moment in Sarawak’s history. On this day, the State witnessed a monumental shift as the title of its head of government was elevated from ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’. This change was more than mere symbolism, it stood as a powerful declaration of Sarawak’s enduring resolve to reclaim the State rights that have, over time, been gradually eroded.
By adopting the title ‘Premier’, Sarawak sent a clear and resounding message: the State remains steadfast in its efforts to restore the rights and privileges enshrined within the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Higher Titles, Greater Responsibilities
On February 15, 2022, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, tabled the Constitution of the Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 to change the designation of ‘Chief Minister of Sarawak’ to ‘Premier of Sarawak’. Abdul Karim, who also holds the portfolio of Youth and Sports Minister, explained that the Bill aligned with the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1642], which had come into effect on February 11, 2022, following the recent amendments of the Federal Constitution to restore the MA63.
He emphasised that Sarawak’s special status necessitated a distinct representation, setting it apart from other states in the Federation of Malaysia. As such, the designation of ‘Chief Minister’ was no longer appropriate and needed to be re-styled as ‘Premier’. The amendment also brought with it a broader shift in nomenclature within Sarawak’s executive ranks. The ‘assistant minister’ title was formally replaced with ‘deputy minister’. As a result, all 27 ‘assistant ministers’ would be officially redesignated as ‘deputy ministers’, should the Bill be passed and put into effect.
Abdul Karim explained that the change was necessary given the increasing scope of duties these deputy ministers would hold and exercise. It is only fitting that their titles better reflect the substance of their roles. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly passed the Bill with a two-thirds majority, supported by 67 members of the august house while six opposed it after a second round of voting by show of hands before Speaker Tan Sri Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar.
Five days later on February 19, 2022, Abang Johari who at that point still held the title ‘Chief Minister of Sarawak’, explained that the new title of ‘Premier’ was not for just one person, but for the whole of Sarawak. He reiterated that the move to redesignate ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ was to reflect Sarawak’s different status from the other states in the Federation of Malaysia.
“It’s not glorification. It’s because of what we had signed before, during the formation of Malaysia, and it must be recognised,” he said during the Federation of the Division Chinese Association Sarawak’s Unity Night Year 2022 at a local hotel on February 19, 2022, in reference to the MA63 which states that Sarawak is an equal partner to Peninsular Malaysia in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
The Fight Must Go On
Abang Johari further pointed out that although he would one day retire, the pursuit of restoring Sarawak’s rights must continue.
“I won’t be the Chief Minister or Premier for a long time. One day, I’ll have to say ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’.
“Then, the country must be in harmony and progressive. And it is our vision to transform Sarawak as an economic hub, not only for Malaysia, but for the region,” said Abang Johari.
Following its passing, the Bill was gazetted on March 1, 2022, from which date the title ‘Chief Minister of Sarawak’ was officially re-designated as the ‘Premier of Sarawak’.
The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd.
