Following a constitutional amendment passed on 15 February 2022, the title of chief minister was formally changed to premier to reflect Sarawak's status as an equal partner within the Federation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. The amendment was gazetted and came into force on 1 March 2022.[3]Abang Johari, sworn in as the sixth and final chief minister on 13 January 2017,[4] became the inaugural premier upon the amendment's commencement.[5]
In the Malaysian federal order of precedence, the premier of Sarawak ranks fourth, immediately after the prime minister and the two deputy prime ministers.[a]
The post of Premier of Sarawak was created as Chief Minister of Sarawak on 22 July 1963 when Sarawak was given self-government, with Stephen Kalong Ningkan being the first inaugural to lead the office.[7]
A proposal to change the title of Chief Minister to Premier was made in February 2022, as an aspect of Sarawak's efforts to reclaim its rights under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).[8] In addition, the office was proposed to be renamed so that Sarawak would not be compared to other states like Penang and Malacca, which also have a chief minister to lead their state government.[8] Along with Britain, Singapore, the Federation of Malaya, and Sabah, Sarawak was one of the signatories of MA63 during the formation of Malaysia.[8]
On 15 February, the position of Chief Minister was changed to Premier following a successful amendment to the Sarawak state constitution.[9] The constitutional amendment was gazetted and came into effect on 1 March. Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, who had previously served as the sixth Chief Minister before the post was rebranded, became the first Premier of Sarawak.[10]
Appointment
According to the Article 3(6)(a) of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak,[2] the governor shall first appoint the premier to preside over the Cabinet and requires such premier to be a member of the Legislative Assembly who, in the former's judgment, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Council Negri. The premier must not be a Sarawakian by naturalisation or registration.
The Governor will appoint not more than ten nor less than four Ministers on the premier's advice.[2] The governor will also appoint deputy ministers under Article 7A of the state constitution.[2][citation needed]
The Premier and the Cabinet Ministers must take and subscribe in the presence of Governor the oath of office and allegiance as well as the oath of secrecy before they can exercise the functions of office. In line with the Westminster system's principles of "collective responsibility" codified in the State Constitution, the Cabinet is collectively responsible to the Council Negri. The members of the Cabinet are prohibited from holding any office of profit and engage in any trade, business or profession that will cause conflict of interest. Unlike the Premier, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers hold office at the pleasure of Governor Articles 7(3) and 7A(3), Sarawak State Constitution.[citation needed]
If a Premier has such a low amount of vote supports, completely loses his status as a Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN), loses his deposit during the state election, or any implementation or presentation that is found not to be fully supported by any Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN), then the Premier of Sarawak has the right to terminate from his service legally, with the condition that he must announce the appointment of the Acting Premier as a replacement for a temporary period (for 80 days only), until he gets the consent from the Governor of Sarawak to appoint a new Premier of Sarawak. At the same time, a special committee on the appointment of the new Premier of Sarawak will be established. [citation needed]
Following a resignation in other circumstances, defeat in a general election or state election, illness, or the death of a current Premier, the Governor of Sarawak has the right to appoint the person as the new Premier of Sarawak, as the person is voted by the new governing party, with the majority vote during state election.[citation needed]
Powers
The Premier is the Head of Government in the State of Sarawak. Both the Federal Constitution and State Constitution as well as other legislations accord various authorities upon the office of the Premier.
Specific provisions of the State Constitution that expresses the authority of the Premier include:-
Art. 1(1): Consulting with the Yang Di-Pertua Agong on the appointment of Governor;
Art. 1(3): Consulting with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the appointment of the Acting Governor;
Art. 1(5): Advising Governor, with the consent of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, appointing a person taking the Governor place or representing the Governor at the Conference of Rulers;
Art. 6(3)(b): Advising Governor the appointment of Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Art. 7(1): Request for the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly;
Art. 7(2): Advising the Governor on the revocation of the appointment of a Cabinet Minister;
Art. 11: Advising Governor on the appointment of the State Secretary, State Attorney General, and State Financial Secretary;
Art. 15(1)(a) & (b): Advising the Governor on the appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly; and
Art. 35(1): Advising Governor on the appointment of the Chairman, Deputy chairman, and members of the State Public Service Commission.
The power of the premier is subject to a number of limitations. Premiers removed as leader of his or her party, or whose government loses a vote of no confidence in the Legislative Assembly, must advise a state election or resign the office or be dismissed by Governor. The defeat of a supply bill (one that concerns the spending of money) or unable to pass important policy-related legislation is seen to require the resignation of the government or dissolution of Legislative Assembly, much like a non-confidence vote, since a government that cannot spend money is hamstrung, also called loss of supply.
The premier's party will normally have a majority in the Legislative Assembly and party discipline is exceptionally strong in Sarawakian politics, so passage of the government's legislation through the Legislative Assembly is mostly a formality.
Acting Premier of Sarawak
The appointment of an acting Premier (Pemangku Premier Sarawak) will only be implemented if a Premier is confirmed to be ill for a long period of time, or died while serving in the government administration. To appoint an acting Premier, he must have extensive experience in politics, economics, legal affairs, social affairs & people's unity, education, science & technology, sports, and religious affairs. There is no obstacle for any local leaders from various races, to hold the position as acting Premier of Sarawak.
The appointment period of the acting Premier will only be given for 80 days only, until the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak to fully implement the appointment of the new Premier of Sarawak, on the condition that through the selection method of the new Sarawak government cabinet lineup, namely through government cabinet elections, or as directly using state government elections.
↑ This order of precedence is used in official national ceremonies and determines the order of protocol between high-ranking government officials.[6]
↑ This column names only the Chief Minister's party. The state government he heads may be a complex coalition of several parties and independents; those are not listed here.
↑ This column names only the Premier's party. The state government he heads may be a complex coalition of several parties and independents; those are not listed here.
Life after office
Chief ministers are usually granted certain privileges after leaving office at government expense. They are appointed to become the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor). There were two former chief ministers who were appointed as Governor shortly after they left office: Abdul Rahman Ya'kub and Abdul Taib Mahmud.
While in the past, former chief ministers remained important state figures, there are currently no living former chief ministers. The most recently deceased was Abdul Taib Mahmud (1936–2024), who died on 21 February 2024.
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