Many still unfamiliar with our role, says Senator

KUCHING (July 14): Many people are still unfamiliar with the role played by a Senator of the Dewan Negara, said Senator Robert Lau.

He explained a Senator’s responsibilities are more or less the same as a MP in the Dewan Rakyat, where a Bill is being debated as well as whether it should be passed or not.

However, he said the Dewan Negara does not have as much as power as the Dewan Rakyat.

“This is because the MPs in the Dewan Rakyat are the ones who form the (Malaysian) government, so they can propose what laws to pass. The Senators don’t have that much power — we can only say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“If the Dewan Negara rejects a Bill, it goes back to the Dewan Rakyat. If we still say ‘no’ to the Bill, six months later it is automatically passed,” he said during the #kitaadanombor Delineation Campaign forum organised by Rise of Social Efforts (Rose) at a hotel here on Saturday night.

Lau further explained there were two ways for one to be appointed as a Senator; one of which is done through the appointment by the state legislative assemblies, with two representatives coming from each state.

As there are 13 states, there are 26 appointed Senators including the ones from the Federal Territories, he said.

“The remaining 40 Senators are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the recommendation of the Prime Minister,” he said.

Lau said as Senators do not represent any constituencies, they do not have to face the pressure from voters on local issues thus allowing them to focus on legislative works.

He also pointed out Senators do not represent any political parties in the Dewan Negara.

“This makes the Upper House, the Senate, a better body to debate, make good suggestions and ideas because we are not painted with any colour or coming from any political party.

“In addition, Senators will not oppose or agree to certain proposal or Bills just because of political party affiliations,” he added.