Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Lihan Jok was today elected as a member of the Dewan Negara to replace Senator Idris Buang, whose second term expires on Nov 18 this year.

Lihan, 54, the former two-term Telang Usan assemblyperson, from 2001-2011, was elected through the Sarawak state legislative assembly with a 50-15 vote against DAP Dayak Consultative Council chairperson Dr John Brian Anthony.

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, who nominated Lihan, said the newly-elected senator had given his personal consent to be elected to the post.

“I am confident he will contribute meaningfully in representing Sarawak to ensure inclusiveness of participation of the rural people for the successful implementation of the Government Transformation Programme, Economic Transformation Programme and National Key Result Areas,” he said of the father of four.

According to him, Lihan, a Kayan from Long Bedian, Ulu Sungai Apoh in Baram, is a very active social worker and a religious Christian, besides being the prime mover of getting all the Orang Ulu associations to be united under the FORUM group, of which he is the president.

Lihan is on the board of trustees of the Dayak Cultural Foundation and board member of Bau Oil Palm Mill.

- Bernama