Screengrab shows Mutang taking his oath of office as a senator today. — Screengrab from YouTube/Parlimen Malaysia
KUCHING (Feb 19): Former Bukit Mas MP Datuk Mutang Tugal has made history as the first member of the Dayak community to be appointed Senate President.
Mutang’s appointment as 20th Dewan Negara President comes 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 thanked Anwar and Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his appointment.
“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.
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 Lun Bawang from Lawas is a lawyer by training.
Mutang 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.
He was Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president and honorary consul of Romania in Sarawak.
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.
Mutang is sworn in as Dewan Negara President. — Screengrab from YouTube/Parlimen Malaysia