KUCHING, Feb 18: Changing the Chief Minister’s designation to ‘Premier’ clearly shouts the upholding of promises by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, said Michael Tiang.
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth chief said it is obvious proof that GPS’ pursuit for both Federal and State Constitution amendments are not mere political gimmicks.
“This is exactly what we meant when GPS says ‘Sarawak First’.
“It was the main reason why we chose to leave BN (Barisan Nasional) to be politically independent by forming GPS to govern Sarawak according to Sarawakians’ aspirations, rights, privileges, welfare, and interests,” he said.
He reiterated that the recently passed bill to amend the State Constitution is consequential to GPS’ efforts in amending the Federal Constitution, which restored Sarawak’s status according to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The fight, however, he pointed out, is far from over as GPS will continue to strive for Sarawak’s substantial rights and privileges based on the amended constitutions.
“The change of ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ is not a cosmetic change of title but a move made to rightly correspond to Sarawak’s status in the Federation of Malaysia as one of the three territories together with Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
“Regrettably, six opposition members in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) did not support the amendment bill tabled and passed on Feb 15 to further affirm Sarawak’s special position in the Federation,” he said in a statement today.
Tiang, who is also Pelawan assemblyman, lamented the acts of an opposition elected representative who disrespectfully resorted to equating the ‘Premier’ title with a certain tissue paper brand while expressing disagreement over the said bill. — DayakDaily
