At the Sarawak State Assembly sitting today, Datuk Gerawat Gala (GPS-Mulu) said the amendment to the Sarawak Constitution is all about the state’s status and dignity as an autonomous state in the Federation of Malaysia.
He said it is also about the pride and dignity of every Sarawakian today and the future generations.
“This amendment is a visible historical and legal milestone to remind every Sarawakian, especially for our future generation that Sarawak is not just an ordinary member of the Federation of Malaysia, that we are a founding member of the Federation of Malaysia and that we have special rights and privileges which other States do not have (except for Sabah),”he said during the debate on the Sarawak Constitution (Amendment) Bill.
Gerawak slammed Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) for refusing to support the change of title from Chief Minister as he is of the view that such change is irrelevant without a corresponding amendment to Schedule 9 of the federal Constitution which set out the powers of the state.
He said Sarawak’s rights and privileges under MA63 which is now part of the Federal constitution is not limited to those enumerated under schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution.
“It is for us as elected representatives of the people to continue to fight for, realise, protect and preserve our rights as provided in the Federal Constitution which include MA93 which go beyond schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Gerawat also disagreed with Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman Baru Bian’s view that the amendment bill in as far as it seeks to change the title and style of the chief minister to premier is unconstitutional.
He said Baru’s view is unsustainable and without basis because Article 160(2) in the definition of chief minister clearly allows for the title and style of chief minister to be called by any other name.
“The term premier is used in other commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia for the chief executive and leader of member states in their federation.
“There is nothing unusual or objectionable in the use of the term Premier for our chief minister to reaffirm Sarawak’s special status in the Federation of Malaysia,” he said.
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