While tabling the proposed amendment to Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 at our State Legislative Assembly (DUN), I have mentioned it is aimed to correctly reflect the status of Sarawak as different from the other States in the Federation. The proposed elevation of the designation and style of Chief Minister be re-styled to Premier will also give full effect to the amendment of the Federal Constitution. Thus, it is therefore necessary that the Constitution of the State of Sarawak, be amended accordingly.
The Parliament has passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on 14th December 2021, which amongst others, amended Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution for the purpose of restoring the original provision of Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution during the formation of Malaysia in 1963 except the reference to Singapore. It must be noted the definition of “the Federation” in clause (2) of Article 160 was amended in accordance with the spirit of the Agreement relating to Malaysia dated 9th July, 1963.
When Sarawak agreed to be a party in the formation of Malaysia, it was intended that Sarawak retain its status as one of the three regions (Federation of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak) that formed the new Federation of Malaysia. This had put Sarawak as one of the three regions and is to be regarded not with the same status as the other component States in the Federation of Malaya. The special status of Sarawak needs to be reflected in the manner different from other States in the Federation.
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