PUTRAJAYA: Who will be the next Dewan Negara president is at the discretion of the Prime Minister, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister said there has been no discussion on the matter as yet.
He said once the Prime Minister has decided on the candidate, it would be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consent.
“No discussion yet. I am not sure when. I do not know if the Prime Minister has discussed with any parties as he is in Qatar.
“We don’t know who, from which party or which state. It is still too early,” he said after chairing the National Science Council meeting yesterday.
Asked if Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would propose a candidate in view that the late Senate president Datuk Mutang Tagal was from the party, Fadillah said the matter needed to be referred to its president Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I don’t know (how many names can be proposed). It has not been discussed,” he added.
Recently, GPS secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi expressed hope that a representative from Sarawak would be appointed for the post to complete the remaining three years of the term.
Mutang, 70, passed away on May 10 at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur where he was admitted for treatment since returning from a work trip in Azerbaijan.
Mutang, a Lun Bawang from Lawas in northern Sarawak, was the first Dayak to become Senate president when he was appointed on Feb 19 this year, taking over from Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
On another matter, Fadillah said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the allocation of funds to Opposition MPs aimed to ensure national stability and prevent division.
He said details of the MoU draft was being finalised and once completed, it would be submitted to the unity government’s supreme leadership council as well as to the Opposition for approval.
“We are still detailing the draft but I have already provided an overview of its contents. The primary focus is economic recovery, ensuring stability and boosting tourism across all parliamentary platforms.
“In addition, we aim to tackle issues that could potentially divide the nation, including those related to the 3R (race, religion and royalty) within the framework of the MoU,” he said.
Fadillah had previously said the unity government’s top leadership had decided in principle to consider allocating funds for Opposition MPs.
