Try Perak’s ‘bubble concept’ for assembly meeting, Sabah urged

 

The Sabah state assembly has postponed its three-day meeting, scheduled for this week, to Sept 21 to 23. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: An academic has suggested that the Sabah government emulate Perak in adopting the “bubble concept” for its state assembly sitting.

Sabah UiTM senior lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang said the state will be seen as taking a proactive measure to ensure there are no further postponements of its state assembly proceedings.

The first meeting of the second term of the 16th Sabah state assembly, which was supposed to convene for three days on Aug 24, has been postponed to Sept 21 to 23.

Bagang said the main aim of the “bubble concept” is to allow a sitting to be conducted in a safe environment, placing the health and safety of the assemblymen as a priority.

Tony Paridi Bagang.

“It is something the Sabah government can consider. But it has never been done before, hence the Perak state assembly will become a benchmark,” he told FMT.

Perak’s “bubble concept” for its state assembly meeting beginning yesterday involves four elements: Accommodation, transportation, extension of meeting space, and daily swab screening for all involved.

Among others, the assemblymen are required to put up at a hotel in Ipoh, with transportation provided for all those concerned to go and return from the assembly throughout its duration.

Any movement involving private-owned vehicles and e-hailing services is not allowed.

Bagang said, however, that if Sabah decides to take on the concept, greater preparation is needed as it involves the four important elements.

“Take, for example, the number of days for the meeting. If it is too long, it could lead to stress as they have to stay in the hotel as if they are being quarantined.

“It also depends on the assemblymen’s readiness to embrace this concept.

“Nonetheless, this approach is worth trying. If it is effective, it could be emulated by other states as well,” he said.

Lee Kuok Tiung.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Lee Kuok Tiung, doubted whether the concept will work, saying that unlike Perak, Sabah is a big state.

“Most of them will stay in hotels anyway, unless they have homes in Kota Kinabalu. Their movements also mean they will cross districts,” he said.

“And how can you ensure the elected representatives will not meet anyone else during the period?

“When it comes to state assembly or parliamentary meetings, it is not only about the assemblymen or MPs but all the political secretaries and assembly and parliament staff as well.

“Are they also going to be ‘quarantined’ in the hotel or will they go back home after office hours as usual?” he asked.

Dr Kew Seih Teck.

Dr Kew Seih Teck, a consultant paediatrician at Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s medicine and health sciences faculty, agreed that it would be a logistical headache to manage everyone coming from all corners of the state.

“Most will be coming in by road, some by air and it will not be as easy compared to Perak.

“If you could control the movement of a person, you may reduce infections and run further tests later. Then, it’s basically just tightening the control and, hopefully, reducing the infections among those who attend the meeting.

“The number of Covid-19 cases is rising in Sabah and many in our community could be infected. So, ensuring all of them receive two doses of the vaccine is still most important,” he said. - FMT