KUALA LUMPUR: Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Abd Samad has been reappointed as Dewan Negara deputy president, effective today.
He took his oath of office for the second term before Dewan Negara president Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran in a special session here, today.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Abdul Halim, 77, said he would carry out his responsibilities with dedication and uphold the dignity of the country’s highest institution, and strive to improve the quality of the debates presented by members of the upper house.
Abdul Halim began his career as a teacher and had served as senior secretary for Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He was UMNO Setiawangsa Division deputy head from 2004 till 2013.
He was made a senator in November 2014 and appointed Dewan Negara deputy speaker on April 18, 2016.
During the special session, the senators observed a minute of silence to remember and offer a prayer for former Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Sultan of Kedah, Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah who passed away on Sept 11. -- Bernama