Kota Kinabalu: Although the proposal to change the designation of Sabah Chief Minister to Premier has yet to be discussed, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) would be open to it if it comes up in future GRS meetings.
SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said SAPP has already proposed to the GRS Supreme Council to amend two items in the Sabah Constitution to strengthen the status of Sabah and the State Government.
These are revert the official title of the Head of State as “Tuan Yang Terutama Negara” which reflects Sabah’s status established in 1963, instead of the current title “Tuan Yang Terutama Negeri”.
Another is to change the title of “Assistant Minister” to “Deputy Minister”.
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SAPP had also formally submitted other proposals to GRS leaders, including a Technical Committee on The Return of Labuan to Sabah to be formed in order for the Sabah Government to pave the way to bring Labuan back under its administration.
A Land Reforms Committee is also proposed to protect land ownership of Sabahans, particularly those with Native Customary Lands.
Yong said now that the Sabah Government has made significant progress on tackling water, electricity, and road infrastructure issues, SAPP is re-energising its push for the issuance of Sabah Identity Cards (Sabah ICs) to strengthen the status of genuine Sabahans and eligible Malaysians residing in the State.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (StarSabah) Vice President Datuk Abidin Madingkir said there should not be any problem in changing the designation to Premier.
“I fully agree with the proposal. We only need to amend the State Constitution,” he said.
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Tanjong Kapor Division Chief Ben Chong Chen Bin was reported saying Sabah cannot continue referring to its Chief Executive as Chief Minister when Sarawak has already taken steps to rename the post as Premier to correctly reflect its reinstated position in 2022 as one of the three equal partners in creating Malaysia in 1963.
The Tanjong Kapur Assemblyman hoped the Bill to this effect would be tabled in the next State Assembly sitting in July.
Ben said it would also be consonant with a Bill to replace the title of Assistant Minister with Deputy Minister as well as limiting the tenure of a Chief Minister to two terms.
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