THE Dewan Negara, or Senate, has long been perceived as a “rubber stamp” of the Dewan Rakyat or Lower House in Malaysia. In a Westminster parliamentary democracy, the Senate is meant to provide checks and balances on the Lower House. Indeed, healthy democracies thrive because of checks and balances. That the Dewan Negara in Malaysia […]
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Confusing party with government
By Shanon ShahTan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh WHEN Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh was Dewan Negara president, the upper house of parliament started regaining just a little bit of its clout as a check and balance to executive power. In 2005, for example, senators resisted just being a rubber stamp for the controversial amendments to […]
Checking power in Malaysia
By Shanon ShahTan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh TAN Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh has had an interesting career in Malaysian politics. An Umno member, he was Member of Parliament (MP), first for the Arau seat in the 1980s, and then for the Kangar seat in 1999. The 1944-born medical graduate was appointed Deputy Speaker of the […]
Six take oath as senators
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2009: Five first-time senators and another senator, who had his term extended, took their oath at the Dewan Negara here today. The new senators were Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Tiam, Eg Fook Heng @ Ng Fook Heng, Zaitun Mat, Mohd Khalid Mohd and Zainun Abu Bakar. Another senator, Ahmad Hussin, 60, […]
Privacy Act to be introduced
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2009: A personal privacy protection act will be promulgated to provide necessary checks against crimes and the intrusion of privacy, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told the Dewan Negara. “The matter has been discussed in the cabinet. I believe when the new cabinet is formed, it will delve into […]
RM11.7 million to repatriate illegals last year
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 April 2009: The government spent RM11.7 million last year to repatriate 60,800 illegal immigrants, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung. He said RM9.8 million was spent in 2007 for repatriation. “The government has to spend RM30 a day on each detainee which covers administrative and medical costs,” Chor said when […]
Appoint Shahrizat as senator and minister
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 April 2009: A senator today proposed that the new Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil be appointed as a senator and be made the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. Senator Datuk Nor Hayati Onn said the proposal was so that Shahrizat could be the voice of women under […]
Stop act of political gangsterism: Senator
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2009: A senator ticked off certain members of parliament for indulging in what he described as an act of political gangsterism by hurling allegations and abusive words against the leaders. Senator Datuk Gooi Hoe Hin said the political gangsterism should not be allowed to thrive in the Dewan Rakyat as it […]
Site to track economic stimulus funds
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2009: A special website to monitor how funds to implement the two economic stimulus packages are spent will be launched next week, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha told the Dewan Negara today. He said the website, “www.rangsanganekonomi.treasury.gov.my.” would enlighten the public on the programmes, projects, and the progress of […]
Effendi, Malasingam sworn in as senators
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 March 2009: Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi and MIC Tapah Division chairperson Dr M Malasingam were sworn in today as senators before Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh. Effendi, 61, has been appointed for a second term and Malasingam for the first […]
