KUCHING: There are a number of steps that Sarawak has to take to differentiate it from the federated states of Malaya, with a good starting point being the amendment of the title of ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ of Sarawak.
Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) said Sarawak deserved the title of ‘Premier’ for its top leader, adding that this was an important step towards regaining and achieving all that is listed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“We are now flexing our muscles by amending the words ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’, to identify ourselves as different from all the other Chief Ministers including Penang in the federated states of Malaya. I implore all Sarawakians to stand together and to support this historical move.
“With the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, we will ensure that the details of what is Sarawak’s entitlement will be regained back slowly but surely in stages,” he said when debating in support of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He said Sarawak was indeed on the right track moving towards better days with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the helm, adding that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would keep its promises made to Sarawakians.
“We will take care of Sarawakians, unlike Pakatan Harapan (PH) who only offer lip service and failed to fulfil their promises to the rakyat. Unlike PH, GPS takes things seriously and sets out to achieve what needs to be done step by step.
“GPS will not give up on us Sarawakians and our coalition parties will remain firm and strong together to ensure that we upgrade the lives of our people, who have put their trust in us as shown by the recent state election,” he said.
Lo said GPS had always championed the rights of Sarawak. At the same time, he said many things took time to materialise, such as the inclusion of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) into the Federal Constitution.
“We need to be patient as there are some things that cannot be done overnight, but take years, as in the case of fighting for our autonomy. We will chip away at it for as long as it takes. Inch by inch, slowly but surely, GPS under Abang Johari is acquiring our rights under MA63 back for Sarawak,” he said.
He described Abang Johari as a visionary leader who could and would bring Sarawak to be on par with global achievements, adding that with Sarawak’s entitlements returned, this could become a reality.
“With persistence, patience, and grit, Abang Johari has made Sarawak financially independent. He knows that with financial independence, Sarawak can be strong politically to do more for Sarawakians,” the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) assistant publicity and information secretary said.
In response to Baru Bian’s (PSB-Ba’kelalan) concern that the amendment to change the term ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ might be unconstitutional, Lo said he believed that GPS had considered all apsects and that the proposed amendments were constitutional.
Meanwhile, Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) in his debate speech in support of the aforementioned Bill said Sarawak was one of the three regions forming Malaysia and it was inappropriate and unacceptable for Sarawak to continue using the title of ‘Chief Minister’ as other states of Malaya do.
“How our Chief Minister is called is important. It is not just about the name, but the name brings the status and also the power. We do not want our Chief Minister of Sarawak to be called as the same status with other state government heads in Malaya,” the SUPP assemblyman said.
He said this amendment was also a milestone in the new era for the autonomy of Sarawak.
“I believe that in the near future, we will even debate the Bill of the amendment of DUN Sarawak to the Parliament of Sarawak,” said Chieng.
