Historic Dewan Negara appointment
Former two-term MP Mutang Tagal becomes first Lun Bawang appointed Senate President
Legislation is a field that is close to my heart, so I will use my experience and knowledge as a legal practitioner to further strengthen and dignify the position of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat…
Datuk Mutang Tagal
KUCHING: Former Bukit Mas MP Datuk Mutang Tugal has made history as the first member of the Lun Bawang community to be appointed Dewan Negara President.
Mutang’s appointment as the 20th Senate President came after he was the sole name proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a special session of the upper house of Parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said seconded the motion.
In his speech, Mutang expressed his gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for appointing him as a Dewan Negara member effective Feb 15, 2024 to Feb 27, 2027, and also thanked Anwar and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Legislation is a field that is close to my heart, so I will use my experience and knowledge as a legal practitioner to further strengthen and dignify the position of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat as a legislative body in Malaysia as stipulated by the Federal Constitution.
“I will continue the transformation agenda that has been planned including to implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act, replacing Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 and improving the Standing Orders and also the establishment the Code of Ethics for Members of Parliament,” he said.
On the role of the Dewan Negara, Mutang said as the upper house, it should maintain its credibility and prestige in debating bills passed by the Dewan Rakyat. He thus urged all Senate members to debate with substance, constructively and to take their stand based on their respective expertise regardless of whether it was in line with the decision at the Dewan Rakyat.
He also reminded everyone of the Dewan Negara’s function and duties as a check and balance mechanism, not only to the executive but also to the Dewan Rakyat.
Mutang also thanked predecessor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar for his immense contributions in transforming Parliament.
“It is an honour for me to continue this legacy that he has set in motion,” he added.
Mutang is the third Sarawakian after Wan Junaidi and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Ahmad Urai Abang Muhideen to hold the post.
The 69-year-old from Lawas is a lawyer by training. He served for two terms as MP for Bukit Mas from 1982 to 1990, before the constituency was re-delineated into the Limbang and Lawas seats.
The post of Senate President was left vacant last month when Wan Junaidi was appointed as the eight Governor of Sarawak on Jan 26, replacing Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.