KUCHING: Sarawak witnessed another significant event on Sarawak Day today (July 22) as former Nangka assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah was sworn in as the 21st Dewan Negara president.
At the meeting of the Dewan Negara in Parliament, the appointment was made after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim nominated Awang Bemee, who is also the sole candidate proposed for the post.
The nomination was then seconded by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
In his address after taking his oath, Awang Bemee expressed his gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for appointing him as a member of the Dewan Negara through the nomination presented by Anwar.
“Furthermore, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for his trust and endorsement of my nomination as a Senator, after recommending to the Prime Minister that I be nominated as the president of the Dewan Negara.
“I must also thank all members of the Dewan Negara for not proposing any other name besides the one nominated by the Prime Minister. This is a great honour bestowed upon me,” he said.
Awang Bemee also said today marks a historic day not only for him personally, but also for Sarawak, one of the founding regions of Malaysia as it celebrates Sarawak Day.
“Today, Sarawak is free from colonialism and has begun to govern itself. On September 16, Sarawak agreed, along with Sabah and the Federation of Malaya, to form the Federation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“On behalf of the Dewan, I wish all Sarawakians a Happy Sarawak Day, and we pray for continued progress and prosperity,” he said.
Awang Bemee, 65, replaces the late senator Datuk Mutang Tagal, who passed away on May 10 at the age of 70 due to heart complications.
The veteran politician had earlier been sworn in as Senator at the Dewan Negara on July 15.
He was nominated for the position by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Originally from Sibu and born on June 22, 1959, Awang Bemee holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from the University of Malaya.
He was admitted to the High Court of Borneo Sarawak in 1984 and has been practising as an advocate and solicitor since then.
He is a partner in the legal firm, Messrs. Awang Lai Sandhu and Co.
Awang Bemee served as Nangka assemblyman for three terms from 1996 to 2011.
He has been the chairman of Kuching Port Authority since 1997 and is currently an independent non-executive director of Sarawak Plantation Berhad (SPB).
