Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Punjabi Business Chamber President Daljit Singh Dalliwal, who has been sworn in as a senator, says his appointment shows Sikhs are not neglected in this Southeast Asian nation.

Dalliwal took the oath of office before Dewan Negara President Abdul Hamid Pawanteh Wednesday.

Dalliwal, 48, holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New England, US, and became active in politics when he joined the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in 1989.

"The Sikhs have been waiting for this moment and most Sikhs are from the MIC. This is also an honour for the Indians generally and the Sikh community in particular. It is an honour for me and the family," Dalliwal was quoted as saying by Barnama, the official news agency of Malaysia.

Besides politics, Dalliwal also takes part in charity work involving the Sikh community and gurdwaras.

There are an estimated 100,000 Sikhs in Malaysia.