Emulate Sarawak, change CM to ‘premier’, Sabah govt told

 

Sabah Bersatu said the Sabah state assembly should follow Sarawak’s example. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Bersatu has urged the state government to emulate Sarawak over its move to constitutionally change the title of “chief minister” to “premier” to refer to the state’s chief executive.

Its information chief, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the move had reinforced Sarawak’s status as no longer being on equal footing with the other states in Malaysia.

He added this would also pave the way for Sarawak to reclaim greater autonomy from the federal government.

“Therefore, Sabah Bersatu is calling for the state government to follow in their footsteps,” he said in a statement here today.

“Such a move will help achieve the aspirations of our forefathers like the late Mustapha Harun and Fuad Stephens during Malaysia’s formation as a country.”

The Sarawak state assembly passed a bill yesterday to allow the change of title from “chief minister” to “premier”.

The change came after the federal constitution was amended to re-establish Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Meanwhile, Khairul said Sabah leaders needed to band together to resolve issues that involved state rights, such as this title change.

He said excessive political games had contributed to underdevelopment in Sabah and must be halted. Instead, focus should be given to the state’s progress. - FMT