NEWLY sworn-in Senator Liew Chin Tong will be made deputy defence minister.

The DAP lawmaker will go to Istana Negara at 5pm today to take the oath of office.

“Yes, I will be going to the palace,” he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at the Dewan Negara.

”Thanks to all. Thank you for the appointment, which was proposed by prime minister and DAP members.”

He said he will do his best to serve the country.

The Johor DAP chairman and former Kluang MP contested the Ayer Hitam federal seat against MCA president Dr Wee Ka Siong in the 14th general election, but lost by 303 votes.

He was one of eight senators sworn in today to the Dewan Negara, which is dominated by Barisan Nasional.

“BN still holds the majority in the Dewan Negara. We enter as a minority. It is also an important setting,” said Liew of his new role.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier said the remaining vacancies in his cabinet would be filled by senators, increasing the number of ministers to 29.

Currently, there are 27 ministers and 23 deputy ministers. – July 17, 2018.