The senators were Dr Wan Martina Wan Yusoff, Ajis Sitin, Juhanis Abd Aziz, Aziz Ariffin, Seruandi Saad and Fadhlina Sidek.

The three-year senatorship of Wan Martina, who was elected by the Kelantan state assembly (DUN) began on Aug 24, while Ajis and Juhanis, elected by the Pahang DUN, began on Aug 25.

Aziz and Seruandi, elected by the Perlis DUN, began their three-year term on Aug 26, while Fadhlina, who was elected by the Penang DUN, on Sept 1.

At the swearing-in ceremony, Rais said Parliament should no longer be labelled as a tool to be used by any quarters to legitimise their actions.

He said the Senate and the Dewan Rakyat had agreed to improve the administrative structure and legal framework with respect to Parliament in order that the concept of separation of powers truly come into effect, to improve Parliament’s credibility.

Rais said the Parliamentary reform agenda will be focused on the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 or Act 347, and the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 which was repealed in 1992.

He said the Standing Orders will also be improved, in terms of sittings and discipline of members, as well as the strengthening of powers of the parliamentary select committees.

He said it was also high time for Parliament to decide its own financial rules and expenditures.

“This is also full jurisdiction of Parliament,” he said at the swearing-in ceremony of the six senators at Dewan Negara here today.