KUCHING: The replacement of the term "state" is necessary because in the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak's status is not the same as other states in the Peninsula, said Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
According to him, a special committee has been formed by the Sarawak government to examine suitable terminology to replace the word 'state' for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in line with Sarawak's status during the formation of Malaysia.
"Sarawak does not have state status, and the term State Legislative Assembly is used by all states, but at present, the term territory is also not suitable for Sarawak as it is equivalent to Labuan as a Federal Territory.
"To unravel this matter, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, and the Attorney General of Sarawak, Datu Saferi Ali will lead the committee to examine terminology that is appropriate in line with the law," he said.
He said this when interviewed by the media during the Open House event for Aidilfitri at the residence of the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri here on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, expressed his personal opinion that the term "state" could be omitted in line with the provisions under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), which recognises Sarawak as a territory.
However, Tan Sri Mohd Asfia said that the use of a new name to replace the terminology of the State Legislative Assembly would only be done with the approval of the Sarawak State Cabinet Meeting.- UKASnews
