KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Two former ministers and a former deputy minister were sworn in as senators today.

They are former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof and former Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

They took their oath of office before acting president of the Dewan Negara, Senator Prof Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Upper House.

Wan Junaidi and Nur Jazlan were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong while Mujahid was elected by the Perak State Legislative Assembly on May 25 to represent the state as a senator.

During the previous administration of prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Wan Junaidi served in the legal portfolio from 2021 to 2022.

He had also served as Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker from 2008 to 2013.

Mujahid, who is also Perak Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) from 2018 to 2020 during the Pakatan Harapan administration, while Nur Jazlan served as Deputy Home Minister from 2015 to 2018.

The Dewan Negara will sit for six days from today.

Standing Order 2 (1) states that every Senator who wishes to propose a Senator for election as Tuan Yang di-Pertua shall ascertain previously that the Senator is willing to serve if elected, and shall notify the Setiausaha of his proposal at least two days before the meeting.

Meanwhile, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed has been elected as the Dewan Negara deputy president.

The decision to appoint Nur Jazlan was made through a secret ballot since there was more than one candidate proposed for the post.

Wan Junaidi announced Nur Jazlan’s election after the candidate from the government received more votes than another candidate.

"Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed obtained 43 votes, while Yang Berhormat Datuk Razali Idris received 11 votes, and eight members were absent.

"Therefore, in accordance with Standing Order 5 (2), I hereby announce that Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of Dewan Negara,” he said.

According to Standing Order 5 (2), the procedure for the election of Timbalan Tuan Yang di-Pertua shall be as nearly as may be the same as that for the election of Tuan Yang diPertua, save that the election shall be conducted by Tuan Yang di-Pertua.

The motion for Nur Jazlan’s nomination was brought forth by Anwar before being seconded by Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai. — Bernama