KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Datuk S. A. Vigneswaran was sworn in as the new Dewan Negara President, succeeding Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang whose term ended yesterday.
Vigneswaran in his speech thanked Abu Zahar for his guidance ever since the former was appointed a Senator in 2014.
"I hope that senators can extend their good cooperation so that we can fullfil our responsibilities with all fairness and equality," he said.
He took his oath of office in the presence of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Abu Zahar.
MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who was in the chamber for the question-and-answer session, congratulated the new Senate president.
"The former Dewan Negara president (Abu Zahar) has set high standards in the administration of the house and I believe that the president will continue this culture in our aim to be the first world parliament," said Dr Subramaniam, who is Health Minister, before proceeding to answer the first parliamentary question for the day on dengue.