MEMBERS of the Dewan Negara need to be polite every time they speak and debate despite having differences of opinion, said Senate president Dr Rais Yatim.

In his inaugural address as president of the Senate, Rais said this was because people were watching and that senators needed to set an example, especially to the youth.

“Ask ourselves, are we courteous, do we mind our words when debating, do we respect the system and do we use good language? Can our language be emulated by our children?” he said after taking the oath of office today.

He said every member of the Senate has got a professional background and this should be reflected in the words they utter in the house.

Rais said although his election had some opposition, he hoped it would not pose a future problem.

He thanked Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the senators for putting their trust in him.

In a ballot to determine the 18th president of the Senate this morning, Rais got 45 votes and Senator Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff, 19 votes. One candidate was absent. – Bernama, September 2, 2020.