KUCHING: Former Bukit Mas MP Datuk Mutang Tagal (pic) could be the surprise candidate for the next Dewan Negara president, replacing Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who is now Sarawak’s Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
If appointed, Mutang will become the first Dayak from Sarawak to be Senate president.
ALSO READ: High bar for new Senate president, pundits say
The new president is expected to be sworn in at a special session of the Senate next week.
“Talk of (Mutang’s nomination) is more or less correct, but it is not for me to confirm anyone’s appointment at this stage,” said a source in the know.
Mutang, 69, is a Lun Bawang from Lawas in northern Sarawak and a lawyer by training.
He served two terms as MP for Bukit Mas from 1982 to 1990, before the constituency was redelineated into the Limbang and Lawas seats.
Currently, Mutang is the president of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and honorary consul of Romania in Sarawak.
The source said the Dewan Negara will convene at 2pm on Monday for a ceremony to swear in a new senator and appoint a president.
“I believe the Prime Minister will announce the name of the new president on that date,” the source added.
The position of Dewan Negara president fell vacant when Dr Wan Junaidi stepped down to take over as Sarawak’s eighth Governor on Jan 26.
