KUALA LUMPUR: Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was elected as the 19th Dewan Negara president.
Wan Junaidi replaces Tan Sri Rais Yatim, whose tenure ended on June 16.
The appointment was made after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim nominated Wan Junaidi, who was also the sole candidate proposed for the post.
“According to Standing Order 2 (1), I have ensured that he agrees to serve if elected,” he said.
The motion was seconded by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Former Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed was elected Dewan Negara deputy president. His appointment followed a secret ballot since there was more than one candidate proposed for the post.
Wan Junaidi announced Nur Jazlan’s appointment as he had received the most votes.
“Nur Jazlan obtained 43 votes while Datuk Razali Idris received 11 votes, and eight members were absent,” he said, Bernama reported.
Earlier Wan Junaidi, Nur Jazlan and Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof were sworn in as senators.
They took their oath of office before acting Dewan Negara president Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Upper House.
Wan Junaidi and Nur Jazlan were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong while Mujahid was elected by the Perak State Legislative Assembly on May 25 to represent the state as a senator.
Mujahid, who is also Perak Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) from 2018 to 2020 during the Pakatan Harapan administration.
The Dewan Negara will sit for six days starting yesterday.
