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.

We have yet to receive the RM100 million funds promised by PMX to repair dilapidated schools and clinics, Sarawak deputy minister says

KUCHING, July 14, 2024 - The RM100 million funds that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had promised to give for fixing dilapidated schools and clinics in Sarawak has yet to be channeled, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said today.

Picture: Dr Sim: The state government will track the promise made by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nevertheless, he said the state government will keep track of the premier’s promise that was made at the Gawai Dayak dinner on June 22 this year.

Anwar made the promise after Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had earlier said that the state government would be prepared to use RM200 million of the state funds to do repair works on dilapidated schools and clinics in the state.

He had said he expected the federal government to reimburse the state government after the repair works had been done.

Asked by reporters after launching a charity food fair organised by the Kuching Autistic Association at the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) building, Dr Sim said the state government had not received anything from the federal government.

“But having said that, we are not going to wait (to start repairing works on the schools and clinics),” he said.

“We are going to plan as the premier had already allocated the funds. We know that what the premier has allocated will happen. Right?

“What the prime minister had promised, we will track his promise.

“That's all I can say.

“Because if you ask the Ministry of Health, they also don't know when the money is going to come,” Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said.

 

Bandar Kuching MP says his name was used by an individual in a suspected cheating and dishonesty case

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, July 14, 2024 - Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has given his statement to the police over a suspected cheating and dishonesty case where an individual was using his name to organise a singing competition at a hotel here, last year.

Picture shows Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii at the police station where his statement was recorded.

The hotel had lodged a police report for non-payment of bills incurred in organising the competition.

He explained the individual contacted his office asking for grant, but it was not approved due to the failure to follow procedures.

“My secretary than explained the procedures for application of grants and that we can only allocate to an NGO registered within our constituency (procedures set by the federal government), and was unable to allocate to any business or money making entity,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Dr Yii said after multiple explanations by his secretary, the individual then still invited him to attend the event to "show support" even though he did not allocate any funds.

“Unfortunately/fortunately I was unable to attend it due to work commitments and only sent a representative to go,” he said.

“After the event, the individual did not pay the hotel for costs of event and when demanded, he used my name and claimed that I promised and committed to pay for the event.

“So police report was lodged and I am here to give my statement and furnishing all evidences, including screenshot of all WhatsApp conversations and documents to prove that no payment was promised on behalf.

“When it comes of handling of public funds, I am very  particular and will follow all necessary procedures not only because I am audited, but more importantly it is because I am handling public funds which has been entrusted to me.

“So I am very 'pantang' when it comes to usage of public funds and will expect the utmost form of accountability  and transparency of myself and office,” he said, saying that he published his yearly expenditures for the public information.

He said the police have assigned an investigative officer who worked hard on this case.

“I was informed this is not first time this has happened with this particular individual.

“Hope all investigation can be carried out smoothly and justice be served,” Dr Yii, who was accompanied by his assistant, who is a lawyer, to lodge the report.