Senators to vote on new Dewan Negara president tomorrow

According to the order of the day for tomorrow’s proceedings, the appointment of the new Senate president will take place after several senators are sworn in. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Senators are set to vote on the new Dewan Negara president tomorrow as the upper house convenes for the July meeting.

According to the order of the day for tomorrow’s proceedings, the appointment of the new Senate president will take place after several senators are sworn in and before the question-and-answer session.

The post has been vacant since the previous Dewan Negara president, Mutang Tagal, died on May 10, just short of three months after helming the post.

Mutang, the first indigenous Sarawakian to hold the post, was the former Bukit Mas MP and a lawyer by training. He died at the age of 69 after falling ill during a working trip to Azerbaijan.

Last week, former Nangka assemblyman Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah was sworn in as a senator. He is widely tipped to be the next Senate president.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg previously confirmed that a Sarawakian will once again be appointed as the Senate president.