KUALA LUMPUR: Negri Sembilan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim was among five individuals sworn in as senators before Senate president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran at Dewan Negara, today.
All of them were appointed upon the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
The other four were former Home Minister Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad, head of Pas Supporters Club N Balasubramaniam, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's former political secretary Muhammad Zahid Md Arip.
The Senate now has 70 members, 26 of whom are state appointees, while 44 were appointed by the King, including three to represent the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.
The senators are appointed for a term of three years and can only be reappointed once.
Speaking to the media, Rais said that his mission includes making the Senate, which is one of the components of the highest legislative body of the country, a good example to the people.
"I think it would be good if the image of the Senate is changed to a highly-intellectual assembly, building the nation not through harsh words, but through an exemplary image that could help shape future generations.
"We have no time to do flip-flops, all senators should develop a common determination to strengthen the government and to give the people the opportunity to see that the Senate is actually higher than the Dewan Rakyat in so many aspects," he said.
Meanwhile, Idris said that as a senator, he wants to see the people's agenda be given priority.
"We realise that the people need assurance that they have food to eat and can live a peaceful life, so we don't want to portray that politicians are too preoccupied with politics while the people are struggling to make ends meet," he said. – Bernama