Senate presidency: Umno felt awkward on challenging PM's candidate, says Rais

Newly elected Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim was coy on the details of the withdrawn candidacy of Umno's Mohamad Ali Mohamad in challenging him in the race to replace MIC's S Vigneswaran as Dewan Negara president.

"There are some things we can reveal and other things we do not reveal,"

"In this context, there was indeed a letter of nomination from Umno nominating a senator from Melaka, Mohamad Ali (for the post).

"However, at the last moment, I believe the Umno leadership felt awkward since we are together in the Perikatan Nasional coalition so how can we accept a candidate from Umno when the prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) has already submitted his candidate?" Rais told a press conference at the Parliament building shortly after being elected to the post.

"I am sure that this is the sentiment, so at the last moment Mohamad Ali pulled out from the challenge along with (Warisan senator) Theodore Douglas Lind.

"I thank [...] my old friends in Umno who are so many and I think this will give us both a healthy path," said Rais who is currently with the ruling Bersatu party led by Muhyiddin but has also represented Umno and Semangat 46 in the past.

Earlier today, a total of 45 senators out of 65 voted for him in the secret ballot, while 19 senators voted for PKR senator Yusmadi Yusoff with one senator absent.

Rais called for bi-partisan cooperation so that the Dewan Negara could fulfil its duties.

"With the cooperation of friends such as Mohamad Ali, Theodore and Yusmadi we can work together for a healthy struggle for the future," he added.

Umno's initial move to submit its own candidate as the next Dewan Negara president appeared to be a move against Muhyiddin's nomination of Rais for the post.

Rais also dismissed a suggestion by DAP senator Liew Chin Tong that he resign from his party post so that he could be more neutral.

"The convention also shows that the previous president of the Dewan Negara did not resign, in fact, he is the MIC president.

"So there is no reason for me to resign. Besides which, my position is not much. I am just an adviser and former state chairperson in Negeri Sembilan.

"I don't think the question is relevant," he said. - Mkini