Two senators, Boon Som Inong and Mariany Mohammad Yit, today took their oath of office for a second term in the Dewan Negara.

Boon Som, 52, the Siamese community’s representative in the Dewan Negara, and Mariany, 57, a member of the National Higher Education Fund Board (PTPTN), were sworn in before Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang.

Both the senators had started their first term in the house on Dec 15, 2010.

Boon Som, who is the adviser for coordinating the development of the Siamese community in Pendang, Kedah, had been a journalist with the Islamic Republic News Agency and the Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

The Kedah-born had also served as a special officer and press secretary to the Kedah menteri besar from 2003 to 2008 and as press secretary to the Works Minister from 2008 to 2009.

He was appointed as a member of the National Unity Consultative Council on Nov 25 for a three-year term.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Boon Som expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for having proposed that he be appointed for a second term.

“I will strive to ensure that all outstanding issues and problems are resolved over the next three years,” he said.

- Bernama