Seventy-one Sarawak state assemblyman sworn in

KUCHING - Seventy-one state assemblymen and assemblywomen who won in the Sarawak state election on April 16, were sworn in as members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, here Monday.

All state assemblymen and assemblywomen comprising 55 from the Barisan Nasional (BN), 15 from the opposition - 12 DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) (three) - and one independent candidate, took their oath before the speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also the Balingian assemblyman, led the swearing-in ceremony and signed his oath of office, followed by Deputy Chief Minster Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who is also the Layar assemblyman.

Later, Land and Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who is the Balleh assemblyman, and Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Tan Sri William Mawan, who is also the Pakan assemblyman, were sworn in and followed by state cabinet ministers and state assemblymen.

The 17th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly starts its first sitting from Monday until June 29.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin will grace the State Legislative Assembly opening and deliver his address at the first meeting Tuesday.

Two bills - Land Custody and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011 and Supplementary Supply (2010) Bill will be tabled at the sitting while there is a total of 355 questions for oral and written replies.

Two motions by Bukit Assek assemblyman, Wong Ho Leng would be tabled in the sitting.

During the April 16 state election, Barisan won 55 out of 71 seats contested. Barisan seats comprise 35 under Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), eight under Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and six each under Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

Taib was sworn in as Chief Minister on April 16 after Barisan secured two-thirds majority in the election while all eight state ministers, who retained their respective seats were sworn in as members of the new state cabinet on April 18.

Twelve assistant ministers, who retained their respective seats in the April election, were sworn in as assistant ministers in the new state cabinet on May 3.

- The Star