SIX senators were sworn in at the Dewan Negara this morning following their appointment to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet yesterday.

The swearing-in took place before Dewan Negara president S.A. Vigneswaran.

The six include Federal Territories Mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, who was appointed minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, and Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (finance minister).

Following Tengku Zafrul’s appointment, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd announced that he has resigned as its group CEO, as well as chief executive of CIMB Bank Bhd, with immediate effect.

The other new senators are MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon (deputy education minister I); MCA vice-president Lim Ban Hong (deputy international trade and industry minister); Barisan Nasional executive secretary Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad (deputy environment minister); and, Bersatu youth international relations bureau chairman Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (deputy youth and sports minister).

All six appointments were consented to by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for a period of three years.

Vigneswaran, in his speech, congratulated the new senators, saying he hopes they will serve the nation well.

In a statement yesterday, he said the swearing-in would be undertaken in accordance with Provision 4(3) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Negara.

“These appointments have received the consent of the Agong, as per paragraph (b), Clause (1), Article 45 of the federal constitution.”

Muhyiddin yesterday announced his cabinet line-up, comprising 31 ministers and 38 deputy ministers. – Bernama, March 10, 2020.