New Dewan Negara senators sworn in, including Umno's Mohd Hisamudin Yahya

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno's Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya has been sworn as a Dewan Negara senator for a three-year term taking effect from Monday (Oct 4).

Speaking at the swearing-in in Parliament, the Putrajaya Umno division chief said that he will be raising issues of housing of civil servants in Putrajaya.

"I will also be focusing on the issue of urban housing and sports," Mohd Hisamudin said.

The appointment of the Malaysian Football League (MLF) director was by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah

Also reappointed as a senator for a three-year term was Datuk Husain Awang who was nominated and approved by the Terengganu state legislative assembly on Sept 15.

Meanwhile, Penang state DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying was also reappointed as a Dewan Negara senator on Monday.

Hui Ying - the sister of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng - was reappointed for another three-year term.

Her initial term had expired on Aug 26, and her reappointment was nominated and approved by the Penang state legislative assembly on Sept 1.

There are currently 65 senators in the 70-member Dewan Negara with five vacancies.

Earlier, during his speech at the swearing-in ceremony, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim noted that it has been more than nine months or 279 days since the senators met to discharge their duties.

He reminded senators that efforts have been taken to initiate Parliamentary transformation and reforms.

"Let me stress again that the era of pacifism has passed. Through these transformations, the Dewan Negara and senators will be activated through the setting up of three special select committees," he said.

Rais said that the committees are related to the welfare of the rakyat, socio-cultural, communications, education, good governance and fighting corruption.

Rais also reminded senators not to use their immunity to engage in uncivilized manners of communication while in the House.