MIC vice-president SA Vigneswaran was today re-appointed as the president of the Dewan Negara.

He was sworn in earlier as a senator for the second term.

Vigneswaran took his oath of office before Dewan Negara deputy president Abd Halim Abd Samad at Parliament House.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said tabled a motion at a special sitting of the Dewan Negara today proposing Vigneswaran for Dewan Negara president. The motion was seconded by Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam.

No other names were proposed and the members of the Dewan Negara unanimously expressed their support for the proposal.

Vigneswaran, 52, who is also Klang MIC Division chief, was first appointed a senator on June 23, 2014, and made the 17th president of the Dewan Negara on April 26 last year.

Vigneswaran said to reporters later that he would strive to strengthen the functions of the Dewan Negara so that it would remain relevant in highlighting the problems of the people.

"I hope that all quarters that have extended (their) cooperation thus far will continue to do so. I will carry out my duties as the president of the Dewan Negara to the best of my ability," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, said he was confident Vigneswaran would be able to carry out his duties well as Dewan Negara president.

"I have full confidence in his experience in politics and community leadership ... I am confident he will discharge his responsibilities well," he said.

- Bernama