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.