Ex-Nangka rep sworn in as Dewan Negara president

Former Nangka assemblyman Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah takes his oath of office as Dewan Negara president in Kuala Lumpur today.

PETALING JAYA: 

Former Nangka assemblyman Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah was sworn in as Dewan Negara president today, a week after taking his oath of office as a senator.

He was sworn in at 10.15am before deputy Dewan Negara president Nur Jazlan Mohamed, at a full sitting of the upper house attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Awang Bemee succeeds Mutang Tagal, who died in May after just short of three months as Dewan Negara president.

Born in Sibu, Awang Bemee, who served as Nangka assemblyman from 2004 to 2009, is a practising solicitor.

He has been chairman of the Kuching Port Authority since 1997 and is currently an independent non-executive director of Sarawak Plantation Bhd.

“Today is not only a historic day for me in terms of the honour and recognition for a Sarawakian to be chosen as the 21st Dewan Negara president, but today, Sarawak, one of the regions that formed Malaysia, also celebrates Sarawak Day.

To the members of the Dewan Negara, I wish all Sarawakians a happy Sarawak Day, and let us pray for continued progress and prosperity,

 Awang Bemee said.

He then asked the upper house for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Mutang.

Meanwhile, Salehuddin Saidin was also sworn in as a senator.

In March, Salehuddin, a lawyer, secured the acquittal of former Felda chairman Isa Samad on appeal from his conviction of nine corruption charges. - FMT