The Malaysian Insight

THREE names have been proposed for the post of Dewan Negara Yang Di-Pertua or president and will be decided on when the senate convenes in Parliament this week.

The three are Negri Sembilan Bersatu leader Rais Yatim, PKR senator Yusmadi Yusoff and Sabah’s Warisan senator Theodore Douglas Lind.

Rais’ nomination was earlier made by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, while Lind was proposed by Marzuki Yahya from independent party Pejuang on Thursday.

Marzuki confirmed nominating Lind, but added it has not been discussed with allies in Pakatan Harapan, which proposed Yusmadi.

“I am currently not in PH and, when I proposed Lind’s name, it was not discussed with PH friends.

“His name is just my suggestion,” Marzuki said.

Marzuki was with Bersatu before his sacking alongside Dr Mahathir Mohamad and others for opposing Muhyiddin’s government.

Dr Mahathir formed a new party, Pejuang, which is aligned to the opposition but not part of PH.

Warisan is also aligned to PH but is not part of the coalition.

Marzuki said since Yusmadi’s nomination represented PH’s proposal, he will discuss the matter with the coalition so that only one name will be put forward by the bloc.

“We will discuss this before the election of the Dewan Negara president this Wednesday, so that there is only one candidate from PH and Pejuang,” he said.

Senator Ahmad Azam Hamzah had proposed Yusmadi, who is also chairman of the Dewan Negara Caucus and the Dewan Negara Reform Working Committee.

He was Balik Pulau’s representative from 2008 to 2013.

Meanwhile, Dewan Negara secretary Mohd Sujairi Abdullah declined to comment on the nominations.

“Wait for the senate sitting this Wednesday,” he said.

A new senate president must be elected to replace MIC president S. Vigneswaran, whose term expired in June.

According to the Standing Orders of the Senate, members of the House who wish to propose a candidate as president must do so at least two days before the meeting.

Rais was sworn in as a senator in June after the change in government.

His nomination as Dewan Negara president has been opposed to by senators from opposition parties, with many saying the former Umno – now Bersatu – politician is not suited to the role as he is not a unifying figure.

“The Dewan Negara… needs a president who is able to foster consensus among members. Rais is not suitable for such a role,” opposition senators from PKR, Amanah, DAP, Pejuang, Warisan and Upko said in a recent statement.

They urged Putrajaya to discuss the matter with all political parties to find a suitable candidate. – August 31, 2020.