THE change in designation for the head of the Sarawak government from “chief minister” to “premier” is likely to be gazetted sometime in March, said the state’s Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
However, he neither confirmed nor denied the speculation about the gazettement taking effect this Tuesday (March 1).
The gazettement will further see changes to the designation for “deputy chief minister” and “assistant minister” in the state cabinet to “deputy premier” and “deputy minister”.
“We just passed the amendment bill in the recent state assembly sitting, endorsed by more than two-thirds majority,” Abdul Karim was quoted as saying by Borneo Post Online yesterday (Feb 27).
“The next process would be for it to be gazetted. I have been made to understand that the state government is going to do it fast. I think it will be very soon.
“I won’t confirm or deny (whether it will be on March 1) but all I can say is that it will be in March.”
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development, said under the gazette, there should be a mention of when the new names would take effect.
“Once the gazette is in place, the chief minister, deputy chief minister and assistant minister would therefore be addressed as premier, deputy premier and deputy minister, respectively.”
On Feb 16, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 to replace the name ‘chief minister’ with ‘premier’ alongside the two other designations. – Feb 28, 2022
