Awang Bemee widely expected to be sworn-in as the Upper House President tomorrow

 

KUCHING, July 21, 2024 -Former Nangka State Assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, who was sworn-in as a senator last week, is widely expected to be elected as the new President of the Dewan Negara tomorrow.

Picture shows a screenshot of the Dewan Negara’s Order of the Day.

According to the Dewan Negara’s Order of the Day posted on the Parliament website, there will be an election for the post.

If Bemee wins uncontested, he will be sworn-in as the next president, taking over from the late Datuk Mutang Tagal, who died of heart complications in May 10 this year.

Awang Bemee, 65, was sworn-in before Dewan Negara’s Deputy President Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed on July 15.

His appointment as the senator for a term of three years took effect from today to July 14, 2027, subjected to a renewal by another term of three years.

His senatorial appointment has the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Reliable sources said Awang Bemee will replace the late Mutang Tagal, who died of heart complications on May 10, 2024 at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, as the Dewan Negara President.

Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg submitted Awang Bemee’s name to Prime Minister Datuk seri Anwar Ibrahim to be the next Upper House president.

Abang Johari was also reported to have said that the nominee for the president’s post would come from Sarawak.

Awang Bemee obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1983, joined a legal firm as a partner and appointed as the chairman of the Kuching Port Authority.

The 65-year old was the Nangka State Assemblyman from 2004 to 2009 before being replaced by the current State Assemblyman, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is also the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development.

Mutang, 69, served as the 20th President of the Dewan Negara  from February to his death in office on May 10, 2024.

He was the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mas from April 1982 to October 1990.

Mutang replaced Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who stepped down as the Dewan Negara President, upon his appointment as the Sarawak Governor.