KUCHING: The appointment of Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal as the 20th Dewan Negara president is a historic moment for the Dayak community, especially the Orang Ulu in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister in Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said it was a recognition of the capabilities and talents from the community who can serve and contribute to nation building at the highest level given the opportunity.
He was confident Mutang would be able to serve the nation well in his new role, due to the latter’s experience, talents and capabilities.
“I have known him as my classmate since Form 6 in Tanjong Lobang in 1974 and in Law Faculty of University Malaya and as a fellow practising lawyer in Miri in the early 1980s.
“I was with him to help with his nomination papers when he first stood as a candidate for the parliamentary election in 1982 which he won uncontested.
“I know his family well including his late brother Datuk Dr Judson Sakai Tagal who showed great potential as a political leader and deputy minister then,” he recalled.
Apart from Mutang, Gerawat said, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Kelabit Orang Ulu from the remote Bario Highlands, who was a senator and minister in the federal Cabinet had also initiated and successfully implemented significant transformative changes in various governance and delivery processes in the government.
The former minister, he said, was also a shining example of the contribution and impact that talents from minorities can make a difference to the nation if given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian also congratulated Mutang for his appointment as the third Sarawakian to be sworn-in as the Senate president.
He said the first was the late Tan Sri Abang Ahmad Urai Datu Abang Mohideen while Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was the second to hold the position.
“This is the third time in the 60-year of Malaysia’s history that a Sarawakian is holding this post, the third highest hierarchy by Malaysia protocol after Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,” he wrote on his Facebook.
