So now, we can start debating on the word “premier”, which must surely be the most searched term among Sarawakians over this past week, at least.
For media practitioners like me, we have always used “premier” interchangeably for “prime minister” and that is what it is - the noun for premier is prime minister.
Let me state that for the past four decades of using English in my profession, and with no intention to mock the Queen’s lingo, a premier clearly denotes “prime minister”. Don’t we all still trust the good, old dictionary?
Its adjective means first in importance, order, or position; leading. Well, we also have the Premier Food Republic (a popular food court) in Kuching and the Premier Hotel of Sibu, the town’s first high-rise hotel, built almost 50 years ago. In this case, the adjective premier means “top” or “leading”.
Or even a tissue brand called ‘Premier’ which an opposition member attempted to utilise to mock the proposed amendment bill in the august assembly on Feb 15. (Let me say here that I do not see any humour in the act at all; I think it was silly and childish.)
The meaning in Malay
The English lesson out of the way, let us look at its meaning in Malay. Some Bahasa mainstream papers have already translated/reported ‘premier’ as ‘perdana menteri’, which I think is not wrong.
Since there is no Malay term for ‘premier’ as yet and until Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka comes out with a definition, it only makes sense for us to accept ‘perdana menteri’.
In any event, I do not think it would be a problem if the word ‘premier’ is retained because many words in English are also being officially used in Malay.
Contrary to a statement that the term ‘premier’ in the amendment to replace ‘chief minister’ is a title alien in any democratic country, I would assert that was a misplaced remark.
Two days ago, in response to a friend’s query on the matter in a chat group, I had mentioned that in Australia, the heads of state/territory governments are also known as ‘premiers’.
The Aussies have no problem with addressing their leaders as the prime minister of Australia and the premier of New South Wales, for example. What’s the difficulty for us then to say the prime minister of Malaysia and the premier of Sarawak?
Then, the term ‘premier’ is also used by the Chinese government. Surely, we must have heard of the most prominent Vice-Premier of China, the late Deng Xiaoping or China’s most well-known premier of the Mao era, the late Chou En-Lai.
Looking back at our own history, was not Lee Kuan Yew known as the prime minister of Singapore while Tunku Abdul Rahman was the prime minister of Malaysia when the island republic was part of the federation of Malaysia.
What’s in a name?
What’s in a name really? I wouldn’t worry too much about the name or the title in this case. I would prefer to delve into the spirit, intents and purposes of this latest amendment to the Sarawak Constitution.
So, we have heard from the GPS ministers that the amendment is timely to reflect that the head of government in Sarawak is not on a par with or have the same status as the head of government of states in Malaya.
For example, the Penang chief minister or the Selangor menteri besar is of lower status compared to the head of the Sarawak government because Sarawak is one of the three regions in Malaysia.
In other words, Sarawak is a ‘class above’ the other states in Malaya and Sarawak leaders want that status to be made known to the whole world. Fair enough.
Well, in a way, I think the opposition is right. There’s an inkling of ‘syiok sendiri’ here. But no harm to ‘syiok sendiri’ as in this case, perhaps we need to.
We have been short-changed or ‘bullied’ by Malaya for far too long and now, it’s time to show others that we, Sarawakians, are capable of being our own bosses and run our own affairs the way we think fit.
However, as we ‘syiok sendiri’, we must also know how to behave and act a ‘class above’ the others in Malaya, particularly the state leaders.
Show your mettle
Now, I wish to address the first leader to have the honour to be our Sarawak premier, Abang Johari Openg.
Sarawakians must be glad that they have an experienced, seasoned political leader at the helm today. As Sarawak starts her journey on her own steam and terms, Abang Jo has to provide that steady hand to guide her along.
Premier Abang Jo must show his mettle as a leader with strong convictions and a clear vision to drive Sarawak forward in a more dynamic fashion.
As a proud Sarawakian, I wouldn’t allow my first premier to be mediocre, a ‘so so’ political leader. My expectations of the premier in my homeland are not necessarily high but can be summed up as “he must love Sarawak, work with sincerity and total commitment for Sarawakians and most importantly, please do not steal”.
Abang Jo is no greenhorn politician. He has been in the Sarawak cabinet for some four decades and chief minister for the past five years. He had just won a landslide victory last December, a solid stamp of approval from Sarawakians for his continued leadership.
At times, I’m a believer in old-fashion leadership styles where a leader’s competence and maturity are mirrored through his judgement - how he reacts and what he decides.
I’m sure Abang Jo has a well-defined personal code - his set of fundamental beliefs about work and life.
The premier has to constantly share his beliefs with his cabinet colleagues and bring them in sync with his work ethic.
Abang Jo must surely know how powerful it would be for his ministers to understand what he believes in, and what behaviour is acceptable under his leadership.
That part settled, other fundamentals will surely fall into place. The premier needs a smooth ride and the total support of his team.
As Malaya is now swarmed with political instability from Perlis down to Johor, I pray for my Sarawak that the greed for power, position and wealth and all the associated evils would not find its way across South China Sea to my beloved land of the hornbill.
To Premier Abang Jo, Godspeed. May the force be with you! - Mkini
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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