KUCHING: Regardless of how Sarawak is referred to in the federation, what matters most is that it must reflect the meaning of the recent constitutional amendment pertaining to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) secretary-general Datuk Janang Bungsu said,” Be it state or region, it has to reflect Sarawak’s standing in the federation – which is superior than other states.
“Whether Sarawak should be referred as a state or region, it has to reflect the true meaning of the amended constitution.
“Whatever name it may be called, it has to carry different status in terms of administration and authority,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Saturday (Feb 12).
He said this when asked to comment on whether Sarawak should be referred to as a region instead of a state in the federation.
Federal Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar on Friday (Feb 11) said the state government will have to decide whether Sarawak is to be referred to as state or region in the federation.
This follows the consent by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1642) which came to effect on the same day.
Janang said with Sarawak having its status upgraded, it could also mean that the term chief minister could no longer be used to refer to its head of government.
At the same time, the PRS secretary-general said Sarawak and Sabah lawmakers should pursue one-third representation in Parliament for the Borneo states.
He said this should be done by way of tabling a constitutional amendment Bill for the purpose in Parliament.
“We hope both side of political divide can reach a consensus on this. If they managed to agree on the amendment of the constitution in relation to MA63, they must emulate the same spirit for this possible amendment,” he said.
