Former Member of Parliament for Bukit Mas, Datuk Mutang Tagal, has been appointed as the 20th President of the Senate by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim today. The Office of the President of the Senate announced in a statement that Mutang’s appointment as a Member of the Senate is for a period of three years starting from 15 Feb 2024 until 14 Feb 2027.
This appointment makes Mutang, from Lawas, Sarawak, to be the first leader from the Lun Bawang ethnic group to be appointed as the President of the Senate.
He succeeded Tan Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who resigned from the position following his appointment as the Governor of Sarawak on January 26.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed Mutang’s name, who was also the sole candidate, for selection at the Special Meeting of the Second Session of the 15th Parliament today. “He is a native son of Sarawak hailing from the Lun Bawang ethnic group. This is a historic appointment and a continuous commitment of the MADANI Government to recognize and ensure the voices, views, and representation of all segments of the population, including the upriver people in Parliament.
“He is a legal practitioner and has served as a Member of the House of Representatives for two terms. Indeed, he has extensive experience,” he said.
The proposal was supported by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
