Two people were sworn in as senators for the first time and another took the oath of office for a second term in the Dewan Negara today.

Malacca Umno Youth chief Zali Mat Yasin and MCA national organising secretary Yoo Wei How were sworn in as senators for their first term before Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang.

Zali, 41, who is president of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council of Malacca, held the post of deputy director of the Malacca Sports Council last year.

Yoo, also 41, who is executive director of Trans Inn Sdn Bhd, had served as the political secretary and press secretary for several ministers between 2003 and 2009.

Lihan Jok, former vice-president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak, was sworn in as a senator for a second term.

Lihan, 57, who is the principal adviser of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations of Sarawak, Malaysia (Forum), had served his first term as a senator for three years up to yesterday.

He was the Telang Usan state assemblyperson for two terms, from 2001 to 2011.

- Bernama