Sarawak and Sabah should seek more decentralisation of powers from Putrajaya instead of changing the title for their chief executive, said Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin.
In a statement today, Chan also pointed out that the new term adopted by Sarawak - "premier" - is not even recognised by the Federal Constitution as Article 160 only specifies "chief minister" or "menteri besar" as the head of an executive council in a state.
"The amendment to the Sarawak constitution does not make any changes in duties nor powers of the said position, and neither does it make the federal government devolve any more power back to the state.
"I am of the view it is more important to push for more decentralisation of powers concentrated at the federal government, including certain policy-making powers and fiscal powers, in order to achieve true autonomy sought by the people of Sabah and Sarawak," said Chan in a statement today.
Chan was commenting on calls for Sabah to emulate Sarawak's decision to change the title for their chief executive similar to what Sarawak's legislative assembly decided to do on Tuesday.
Sarawak's government decided to do so after Parliament restored Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to its pre-1976 wordings on the three components which made up the Federation of Malaysia.
Chan said the question at hand for Sabah was not whether they should emulate Sarawak but to ensure the devolution of powers to Sabah and Sarawak through further constitutional amendments.
But should Sabah pursue a new title for its chief executive, Chan said Sabah should consider a "glamorous" title of its own and not ape the "premier" title used in Sarawak.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," said Chan, quoting Shakespeare.
Sarawak and Sabah should seek more decentralisation of powers from Putrajaya instead of changing the title for their chief executive, said Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin.
In a statement today, Chan also pointed out that the new term adopted by Sarawak - "premier" - is not even recognised by the Federal Constitution as Article 160 only specifies "chief minister" or "menteri besar" as the head of an executive council in a state.
"The amendment to the Sarawak constitution does not make any changes in duties nor powers of the said position, and neither does it make the federal government devolve any more power back to the state.
"I am of the view it is more important to push for more decentralisation of powers concentrated at the federal government, including certain policy-making powers and fiscal powers, in order to achieve true autonomy sought by the people of Sabah and Sarawak," said Chan in a statement today.
Chan was commenting on calls for Sabah to emulate Sarawak's decision to change the title for their chief executive similar to what Sarawak's legislative assembly decided to do on Tuesday.
Sarawak's government decided to do so after Parliament restored Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to its pre-1976 wordings on the three components which made up the Federation of Malaysia.
Chan said the question at hand for Sabah was not whether they should emulate Sarawak but to ensure the devolution of powers to Sabah and Sarawak through further constitutional amendments.
But should Sabah pursue a new title for its chief executive, Chan said Sabah should consider a "glamorous" title of its own and not ape the "premier" title used in Sarawak.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," said Chan, quoting Shakespeare. - Mkini
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