Two individuals were sworn in as senators today for a three-year term.

They are Boon Som Inong, a committee member of the Malaysian Siamese Association, and Mariany Mohammad Yit, head of Umno's Legal and Women's Advocacy Bureau.   

They took their oath of office before Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang.

Boon Som, 49, who hails from Sungai Petani, is also an advisor for coordinating development for the Siamese community in Pendang, Kedah.

He has been a journalist, having worked for the Kuwait National News Agency (Kuna) for 10 years from 1982 and for the Islamic Republic of Iran National News Agency (Irna) for 12 years from 1991.

A representative of Siamese community

Boon Som, who is a member of the Chang Deng Umno branch in Padang Terap, Kedah, has also served as the press secretary for former Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed and former Kedah Menteri Besar Syed Abdul Razak Syed Zain, and as special officer to former Kedah Menteri Besar Mahdzir Khalid.

In a press statement, Boon Som said he was grateful to Prime Minister Najib Razak for having appointed him as a senator to represent the Siamese community.  

"I accept the appointment with the awareness that it is a trust and responsibility to contribute towards the well-being and progress of the Siamese community in the country, in particular, and the people, in general," he said. 

Boon Som, who has published a book, 'Tekad 2008-2009', for the Works Ministry, said his appointment was proof that the Barisan Nasional government practised consistency in its policies and was fair to the people regardless of race and belief.
  
He said his vision was to see the Siamese community progress further in the education and economic fields to be on par with the other communities in the country.