Ivy Josiah in line for Dewan Negara appointment - sources

Human rights activist Ivy Josiah has been tipped for an appointment to the Dewan Negara next month.

Government sources told Malaysiakini that Josiah, the secretary-general for the Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham), is one of the names floated to be sworn in after the terms of three senators expire on Oct 6.

The three senators are Khairuddin ES Abdul Samad, Megat Zulkarnain Omardin and Yahya Mat Ghani. All three will be completing their second three-year term next month.

They were all appointed under the Umno banner, but Khairuddin now represents Bersatu.

A fourth position, reserved for people with disabilities, is due to fall vacant later in the month when K Bathmavathi's term as senator expires on Oct 18.

"If I am chosen, I will be honoured," Josiah told Malaysiakini. "There is a need for more gender representation in the Senate.

"In fact, the Senate critically needs the representation of diverse groups with expertise to enhance debates and deliberations," she said.

Josiah was formerly the executive director of the Women's Aid Organisation and was also on the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police.

She was conferred the Ahli Mahkota Wilayah (AMW) award earlier this year.

A spokesperson from the Prime Minister's Department declined to comment on the possibility of the appointment.

The Dewan Negara comprises 70 appointed members and reviews legislation that has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat.

All bills must be passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara before being sent to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong for royal assent. 

If the Dewan Negara rejects a bill that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat, it can only delay the bill's passage by a maximum of a year before it is sent to the Agong.

Because of the appointed nature of the Dewan Negara, the present Pakatan Harapan government has 26 senators, while BN has 27 and allies PAS have four. 

The other 11 sitting senators either represent non-aligned parties or special interest groups. There are three vacant positions at the moment.

The new appointments, therefore, will not shift the balance of power in the Dewan Negara.

However, in 2020, a further seven senator's terms are set to expire, including that of Dewan Negara president S Vigneswaran. 

Six of the senators are from BN, which means that Harapan could have the upper hand in the Dewan Negara by November 2020. - Mkini