Association of Churches in Sarawak to hold Sarawak Day prayer service this coming Thursday evening

KUCHING, July 16 , 2024 - The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) will hold a Sarawak Day ecumenical prayers service this coming Thursday evening at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC),Jalan Stampin, here.

Picture: ACS secretary-general Ambrose Linang (centre) says ACS chairman Datuk Danald Jute will lead  the prayer blessings.

Its secretary-general Ambrose Linang said the host church is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching.

“Archbishop Simon Poh will share the reflection the theme May They All Be One,” he said in a statement today.

The programme will start at 7.30pm on July 18, 2024.

He said ACS chairman Datuk Donald Jute will lead the blessings with all heads of churches at the end of the programme.

He said the recitation of the Holy Scriptures and intercessory will be in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Bidayuh Jagoi / Bukar Sadong, Tamil, Kenyah and Iban.

“Preceding the readings of scriptures and prayers, the hoisting of Jalur Gemilang by a federal minister and the Sarawak Flag “Pertiwiku” by a state minister.

“At the service there shall be prayers for Governor Tun Pehin Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Sarawak

government, Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg and Cabinet Ministers, lawmakers and those in authority that they will continue to work harmoniously in upholding our religious freedom, justice, liberty, political stability, unity, social inclusivity,” Linang said.

He added there will be prayers for the leaders of different faiths, to have mutual understanding and respect among all races and faiths.

“We pray for all believers to promote true Christian moral value, witness to the community and to contribute to the peace and harmony of our state that they become one,” he said the service will also pray for all Sarawakians.

He said ACS calls upon all Christians in the city to join in the prayer service to symbolize unity in the Lord.

“It is time to pray for our beloved Sarawak and Malaysia for the spirit of goodwill to reclaim centre stay among all race of different beliefs and cultures.

“Let us not allow racial polarisation and religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society which has been the main engine that has prepared Sarawak and Malaysia.

“ACS wouldalso like to affirm its commitments towards promoting harmony and unity among all the peoples of Sarawak and our nation because unity and social cohesiveness is the pillar of socio-economic progress and development,” Linang said.

Newly sworn Senator Awang Bemee pledges to try his best to fulfil his duties, expresses grateful to Anwar and Abang Johari

 

KUCHING, July 15, 2024 - Newly sworn-in Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah today pledged to honestly fulfil his duties as a member of the Upper House to the best of his ability and obediently preserve and defend the Malaysian Constitution.

Picture: Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah taking his oath of office as a Malaysian senator from Sarawak - Facebook/Dewan Rakyat

He said each senator is appointed representing the regions or states, but they have a common struggle of fighting for the country.

“That is my view as a newly sworn senator,”he told reporters after being sworn-in before the Upper House Deputy President Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed in the Dewan Negara Kuala Lumpur.

He expressed his grateful that as a Sarawakian, he has been given the honour to serve the country, hopefully that he will strive his best.

He also expressed his grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg for nominating him as a senator and was consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Awang Bemee, 65, is a former State Assemblyman for Nangka from 1996 to 2011.

He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from Universiti Malaya in 1983.

His appointment as a senator is believed to be a step for him to be appointed as the Upper House President, replacing the late Datuk Mutang Tagal, who died on May 10, 2024 due to heart complications.

 

After taking his oath of office as a senator, Awang Bemee is expected to be sworn-in as Dewan Negara President on July 22

 

KUCHING, July 15 - As being widely expected, former Nangka State Assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah was sworn-in as a senator of the Upper House this morning, a prelude to him being appointed as its 21^st President on July 22.

Picture: Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah (left) after taking his oath office at a senator before the Upper House’s Deputy President Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

He was sworn-in before Dewan Negara’s Deputy President Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

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) Degree 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 1996 to 2011 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.

A PBB nominee to be sworn-in as Dewan Negara President on July 22?

KUCHING, July 14, 2024 - A nominee from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is speculated to be the next Dewan Negara President, taking the place of the late Datuk Mutang Tagal, who died more than two months ago of heart complications.

Picture: Dewan Negara Chamber

Graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1983, it is speculated that the nominee will be sworn-in on July 22, a source with the knowledge of the appointment said today.

His name was submitted by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg to Prime Minister Datuk Seru Anwar Ibrahim two months ago.

Abang Johari was quoted as saying that Mutang’s replacement would be a nominee from Sarawak.

According to the source, the nominee is expected to be sworn -in as a senator tomorrow.

The nominee is the chairman of a statutory body as well as a partner in a legal firm.

The 65-year old was the State Assemblyman from 1996 to 2011 before being replaced by the current State Assemblyman, who is also a deputy state minister.

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

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

He died at the Institut Jantung Negara, Kuala Lumpur, due to heart complications.

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