KUALA LUMPUR – Four people were sworn in as senators today following their appointments as ministers in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government cabinet yesterday.
They took their oath of office before Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim at the Parliament House at about 8.30am today.
They are Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who has been appointed as home affairs minister and former finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz who has been made international trade and industry minister.
Others are Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir who has been named foreign affairs minister and Chief Syarie Judge Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar who has been appointed as religious affairs minister.
Saifuddin Nasution, Zambry and Mohd Na’im were sworn in as senators for their first term while Tengku Zafrul was reappointed upon the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
In his speech at the ceremony, Rais had called on all senators to re-examine the list of collective tasks for their respective key performance indicators beginning 2023.
“Let’s reinvigorate the proposed parliamentary institutional reform to fulfil the responsibilities that have been entrusted to us,” said Rais, who congratulated the senators for their appointment.
He also congratulated Anwar on his appointment as the 10th prime minister on November 24.
“Hopefully Malaysia will continue to move forward under the administration of Datuk Seri Anwar,” he said.
Rais also conveyed his appreciation to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – Bernama, December 3, 2022