KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) Secretary-General Datuk Nelson Angang was appointed as a senator effective today (Thursday).
He took his oath of office before Deputy President Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Nelson, who is Upko Beaufort division chief, was a former magistrate before becoming a legal practitioner in his own law firm.
He has previously served as the chairman of Saham Amanah Sabah and is also active in sports, where he is the deputy president of the Sabah Rugby Union.
Present to witness the swearing-in ceremony was Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is Upko president.
Ewon expressed his appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for giving consent to appoint a senator from Upko.
He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for agreeing to the appointment.
"I hope Upko's voice will be louder in Parliament after this, and the service to the people, especially in Sabah, can be further strengthened through the appointment of Datuk Nelson.
"I am determined to ensure that the continuation of this party's struggle remains relevant at all times," he said.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Nelson expressed his appreciation to Ewon for nominating him to be a senator.
"I would like to thank Anwar and Ewon for supporting my nomination as a member of the Dewan Negara.
"I will shoulder this great responsibility as best I can, not only by bringing up various issues raised by the people of Sabah but also national issues that need to be addressed in the Dewan Negara," he said.