Asfia re-appointed DUN Speaker for ninth term

KUCHING: Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar has been re-appointed as the Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) for a period of two years from November 16, 2023 to November 15, 2025. 

His ninth appointment as Sarawak DUN Speaker will take effect from November 16 after his current appointment ends on November 15, 2023.

Asfia took his oath of office before the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Governor’s residence on Nov 13. 

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy DUN Speaker Datuk Idris Buang; State Attorney General Datuk Saferi Ali; senior private secretary to the Premier, Datuk Khir Busrah among others.  

Asfia was first appointed as Sarawak DUN Speaker on November 15, 2000. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Speaker from 1995 to 2000.

Asfia signs the latter of appointment as DUN Speaker. (Photo: UKAS) 

He is a law graduate from Leeds University, England and obtained the Barrister-at-Law from the Inner Temple, London.

Subsequently, he obtained an advanced degree in Port and Shipping Management from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

He had also served as a legal Adviser to the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation from 1974 to 1976, before serving as a solicitor and advocate from 1976 to 2000.

From 1980 to 1991, he served as chairman of Interfinance Berhad, in addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief of The Sarawak Tribune from 1990 to 2000.

Since 2002, he has been appointed as the permanent chairman of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and as the party’s Constitutional Committee chairman. 

Asfia was the assemblyman for Kuala Rajang from 1979 to 1983 and Serdeng/ Semop from 1991 to 2011.