Deputy Premier: Appointment of new Senate president ‘hot topic’, prerogative of Prime Minister

Dr Sim (fourth left) receiving goodies from the organiser after he officiated at the event to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Malaysia and China and unveiled the couplet by famous Sarawak calligrapher Sim Poh Yaw at Friendship Park today (Jan 24, 2024).

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING, Jan 24: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian describes the appointment of a new Dewan Negara president as a ‘hot topic’ and the prerogative of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Dr Sim said he does not know the details of who would replace the 19th president of the House of Senate, Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, after his reported resignation on Jan 19.

It has been speculated that Wan Junaidi, who took over the role of Senate president in June 2023, is set to be appointed the 8th Sarawak Head of State after Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s current term expires at the end of Feb 2024.

“The new appointment is for the Prime Minister to answer. I don’t know, and my focus is Sarawak. I am not in the House of Senate. I am not a candidate for it also,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Sim launched an event to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China and unveiled a couplet by famous Sarawak calligrapher Sim Poh Yaw at Friendship Park today.

When pushed further and asked whether the new president would be from Sarawak, Dr Sim described it as a tricky question and a ‘hot’ topic.

“Let’s us better focus on building a better Sarawak and our nation,” he said.

The China Consul General in Kuching, Xing Wei Ping, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Temenggong Dato Tan Joo Poi are among those present. — DayakDaily