KUCHING: The term "Premier" to address Sarawak's head of government will be used officially once it has been gazetted, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

       The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said following the state legislative assembly's approval of the constitutional amendment Bill to rename the title, it would have to go through the process of gazettement and a date appointed by the Head of State for it to come into force.

       "Only after that can the term be used officially," he told reporters at the state assembly's media room here on Wednesday (Feb 16).

       However, Karim said there was nothing wrong if people started using the term now to refer to the chief minister.

       "Since it has already been approved by the highest lawmaking body in the state, we can't stop people from using it.

       "In fact, I see it being used in social media already," he said.

       The Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill was tabled by Karim on Tuesday and passed with a two-thirds majority, with 67 members voting in favour and six Opposition members against it.

       Besides renaming the chief minister as premier, the Bill also redesignated assistant ministers as deputy ministers and included a new interpretation of the Federation of Malaysia.

       Asked how long it would take to be gazetted, Karim said he hoped it would be done quickly.

       "If the state government wants it to be done next week or within this week, it can be done," he said.