Malaysia appoints new Senate President

Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah on July 22 was appointed as the 21st President of the Senate of Malaysia, succeeding Senator Mutang Tagal who passed away on May 10 due to a heart disease.
Former Nangka state assemblyman from Sarawak, Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, was appointed as the 21st President of the Dewan Negara on July 22 (Photo: malaymail.com)
Former Nangka state assemblyman from Sarawak, Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, was appointed as the 21st President of the Dewan Negara on July 22 (Photo: malaymail.com)

Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had nominated Awang Bemee as the sole candidate for this position during the 15th Parliamentary session.

The Prime Minister's nomination was supported by Azalina Othman Said, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Law and Institutional Reform.

Awang Bemee took the oath of office on July 15 as a Senator before Deputy Senate President Nur Jazlan Mohamed and received the approval of the King, with his term set to run until July 14, 2027.

In his speech, the newly appointed Senate President Awang Bemee pledged his allegiance to Malaysia and committed to upholding and protecting the nation’s constitution.

Born in 1959 in Sibu, Sarawak, Awang Bemee represented the Nangka constituency in Sarawak for three terms from 1996 to 2011. He is also an experienced lawyer, having handled numerous civil and criminal cases.

VNA