In the absence of deputy president Armani Mahiruddin whose senatorship ended yesterday, Senator Firdaus Abdullah was given the opportunity to preside over today’s sitting of the Dewan Negara.

NONE "In accordance with Standing Order 6(3), I hereby invite Firdaus Abdullah to chair today’s meeting," declared Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Nika Ujang.

Armani, 54, whose three-year term of office ended yesterday, was appointed Dewan Negara deputy president on July 9, 2009.

The Libaran Wanita Umno chief of Sabah is the first woman to be appointed to the post.

- Bernama