Karim says nothing to stop people from using the term "Premier" when they refer to Abang Johari

 By Simon Peter

KUCHING, February 16, 2022 - Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Sri Rahman Hamzah stressed today that there is nothing to stop people from using the term “Premier” when they refer to Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg, even though it has not been gazetted yet.

Picture: Datuk Sri Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes that the Sarawak Constitution (Amendment) Bill can be gazetted as soon as possible

He said even now the term is widely used in social media after the the Sarawak Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 has been passed by the Sarawak Assembly  yesterday.

“If we look at from the legal point of view, we should wait until the bill  has been gazetted because what has been agreed and  passed in the State Assembly, there is a process to be followed,” Karim said.

He said after the bill has been passed, the bill will be brought to the Governor before it is gazetted. “Only then it can be used officially,” he added, stating that a date will be fixed by the state government when it will be officially used.

“But to me personally, in view of it already being approved, we can’t stop people from using it.  Even now, the people have been using it in the social media,” he said.

Karim said he will not be able to know what the  bill will be gazetted for Abang Johari to be officially called the premier.

He said the gazettement can be done within a week or a month or even six months for any bill that has been passed by the State Assembly.

“It is up to those in authorities when the  constitution amendment bill will be gazetted.

“In the case of the declaration of emergency, the next day it will be gazetted after it has been announced. Everything is done very fast. It can be done in one day.

“Likewise, if the state government wants the bill to be gazetted next week or this week, it will be done this week,” he said.

He said it is better to speed up the gazettification of the bill.

“If it has to wait for month, it will lead to numerous speculations why it has to wait for three months. “If possible, gazette the bill within a month or even a week. It can be done.

“If we have to wait, then it will lead to lots of speculations,” Karim said.