IS the Sarawak government mulling to change the position of its chief minister? It appears so according to a proposed Bill.
According to Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, the Sarawak government would be seeking to amend its constitution, so as to change the title of “Chief Minister” to “Premier”.
The amendment, which will affect Article 6 (3) of the Sarawak constitution, would seek the retain the title “Ministers” of the region’s Cabinet line-up.
However, it is note that a marginal amendment to Article 7 (a) is also being proposed, where it would elevate their “Assistant Ministers” to “Deputy Ministers”.
Responding to the proposed amendments, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii stated in a tweet: “In the latest proposed amendments to Sarawak Constitution that will be tabled tomorrow in DUN (state assembly), they will change the title “Chief Minister” to “Premier”.
“Which means Abg Jo (Tan Sri Johari Abang Openg) will be called the “Premier” of Sarawak.”
In Dec last year, the Government secured the two-thirds majority needed to amend clauses of the Federal Constitution to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners to Peninsula Malaysia.
The amendments came just four days before Sarawakians were to vote in the state election.
It is to note that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by Abang Johari holds more than two-thirds majority in the region’s legislative assembly, which means he would not require support from the Opposition bloc to pass the proposed amendments. – Feb 13, 2022.
