By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 19: Sarawakian Datuk Mutang Tagal has been sworn in as the 20th president of Dewan Negara in Kuala Lumpur today, becoming the first Dayak appointed to the top post.
Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim nominated Mutang for the position. The nomination was seconded by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Dato Sri Azalina Othman Said.
Mutang, who is the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Mas, replaces Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who stepped down from the post to become the eighth Sarawak Governor last month.
Mutang was the sole nominee for the post.
In a brief address after taking his oath as the Senate’s president, Mutang thanked Anwar for his appointment and pledged to continue the transformation agenda that has been planned, including the implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act, amendments to the Privileges and Powers of the Parliamentary Council Act 1952, improving standing orders and also the existence of the Parliamentary code of ethics.
He also called on all members of the Upper House to debate with substance and constructively and firmly express their stance based on their respective fields of expertise, even if the stance is sometimes not in line with the Dewan Rakyat’s decision.
“Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, this is the highest debating chamber in the land. Therefore, we have to discuss matters of national importance, not trivial matters.
“The country expects us to discuss matters of national importance that will bring common good and benefit to the rakyat (people) and the country,” he said.
He also congratulated his predecessor, Wan Junaidi, on the latter’s appointment as the Sarawak Governor and thanked him for his contribution to driving the parliamentary reforms agenda.
Prior to becoming the Senate’s president, Mutang was sworn in as a senator, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. His term starts Feb 15, 2024 until Feb 14, 2027.
At the Upper House, Mutang took the oath of office before the acting president of the Dewan Negara, Senator Datuk Seri Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Mutang, who is Lun Bawang, was born on Oct 5, 1954, in Lawas, Sarawak. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Malaya and a Master of Business Administration from Curtin University.
He started his political career as an MP for Bukit Mas (now divided into Lawas and Limbang parliamentary constituencies) for two terms from 1982 to 1990. Throughout that period, he was a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member.
Afterwards, he continued practising law and managing his business.
On Jan 12, 2017, he was appointed the Honorary Consul of Romania in Sarawak.
In the same year, he was awarded the Pingat Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title ‘Datuk’, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He also holds several other positions of note, namely president of Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI), vice-president of Sarawak Business Federation (SBF), Supreme Council Member of Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), patron of Lawas Shooting and Archery Association (LSAA), advisor to Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA), legal advisor to Persatuan Lun Bawang Sarawak, member of Sarawak Advocates Association, member of Sabah Advocates Association, and member of Bar Council Malaysia.
Mutang married Datin Ho May Leng and was blessed with three children. — DayakDaily
