KUALA LUMPUR: 12 Dewan Negara senators were sworn in today.
Eight were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and 4 were appointed by the state assemblies.
The list of state-appointed senators are Nga Hock Cheah, Ismail Yusop, Lim Hui Ying and Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff.
Nga and Ismail were appointed by Perak while Lim and Yusmadi were appointed by Penang.
The senators appointed by the King are Raj Munni Sabu from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), Nasir Hashim and Razali Idris both from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
From DAP, the senators appointed are Adrian Banie Lasimbang (DAP Sabah) Alan Ling Sie Kiong (DAP Sarawak).
PKR senators in the Agong’s appointment are Mohamad Mohamad and Imran Abdul Hamid.
Theodore Douglas Lind from Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) is also appointed senator.
All 12 took their oaths of office at Dewan Negara in front of senate president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran.
The total number of senators appointed today should have been 13, however, Amanah Vice President Husam Musa could not make it as he is currently performing his Haj in Mecca.
Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of Hui Ying who is also the daughter of DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it was a party recommendation that was endorsed by the state assembly.
Earlier, Hui Ying said as she is from Penang, her main concerns will be bringing up issues that concern people of the state and also the reform agenda of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
On claims of nepotism by Umno, Hui Ying said that her experience spoke for itself as she has been in DAP for 20 years and she has been active and involved in the party.
“We can't avoid what other people say so we just accept their comments,” she added.
As for Ling, the 35-year-old lawyer and Sarawak’s PH state secretary said that he was made to understand that he is the youngest senator in the House.
“I’m glad to be given the opportunity to learn from seniors.
“I also believe that the status of senator has to be elaborated with overall reforms to the senate,” he added.
Razali also said that he was in a unique position in the senate which was dominated by Barisan Nasional (BN) and coming from a state that is controlled by PAS.
The Terengganu Bersatu leader said that he will however do his best for the people of his state.