Covid-19: Sabah state assembly sitting to be cut short, says speaker

Sabah State Assembly building. -filepic

KOTA KINABALU: Shorter time has been allocated for the Sabah state assembly sitting on April 20 and 21, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

State speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali said normally, the question and answer session lasts for an hour, but he will only allow 30 minutes for the session this time.

“As for the debate, I will only allow two assemblymen to make their debate, and each person is only allowed 15 to 20 minutes to speak, ” he said.

He instructed those with questions and those required to provide answers to these questions to prepare their printed materials for the purpose of the sitting.

Earlier, Syed Abas said assemblymen from Kawang, Sook and Nabawan had applied leave from the sitting, as they are not able to attend, and it has been approved.

Only one question managed to be asked and that was from Kundasang assemblyman Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on what efforts have been done to help those affected by the virus and movement control order (MCO) thus far.

Shafie listed all that has been done, being done, and being planned to address these issues.

He also explained the need to balance out state spendings to make sure that the state is able to run smoothly and boost its economy after the MCO. - Star