THE nine new Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) were sworn in on Monday afternoon in Parliament to begin a 2 1/2-year term.

One of them, sociologist Paulin Tay Straughan, 46, also became the first among them to speak in the House, when she rose to debate the Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill.

The NMPs took their oath of allegiance at 1.30pm, kicking off Monday's parliamentary session.

Apart from Associate Professor Straughan, the other NMPs include entrepreneur Calvin Cheng, 33, veteran unionist Terry Lee, 57, Ernst & Young Advisory managing director Mildred Tan-Sim Beng Mei, 50, and shipping industry veteran Teo Siong Seng, 54.

Media consultancy boss Viswa Sadasivan, 49, Presbyterian Community Services executive director Laurence Wee, 63, arts manager Audrey Wong, 41, and former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo, 30, who is now a church executive, round off the slate of NMPs.

Appointed by President S. R. Nathan last Thursday, they are expected to provide non-partisan, alternative views in Parliament.

All of them took their oaths in dark-coloured suits, apart from Ms Yeo, who provided a shot of colour in a short-sleeved indigo blue blouse and white pants.

During the 2 1/2-hour sitting that followed, Dr Straughan was the only one of the nine who spoke.

NMPs are generally not expected to make speeches during their maiden parliamentary sitting, as they are still familiarising themselves with the procedures.

Also, Parliament rules state that members have to notify the House of any questions they want to raise seven days ahead of a sitting.

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.