Three Sarawak lawmakers absent from swearing-in ceremony

 

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, who is the Gedong state assemblyman, led the state assemblymen in taking their oaths during the ceremony today followed by three deputy chief ministers. - BERNAMA pic.

KUCHING: Three state assemblymen were absent during the swearing-in ceremony at the Sarawak State Assembly here today after two of them contracted Covid-19 while the third is a close contact to a positive case.

The state lawmakers who tested positive for the coronavirus are Datuk Len Talif Salleh and Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.

Len who is the Kuala Rajang assemblyman is the State Urban Development and Natural Resources Assistant Minister while Huang is the state elected representative for Repok.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Art Performance Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, who is also the Piasau assemblyman, has also been placed under quarantine.

Only 79 of the total 82 state assemblymen could attend the swearing-in ceremony before Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, who is the Gedong state assemblyman, led the state assemblymen in taking their oaths during the ceremony today followed by the three deputy chief ministers.

They are Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (Bukit Saban), Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (Bukit Sari) and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kawa).

The ceremony proceeded with Sarawak Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang, who is Muara Tuang assemblyman, taking his oath.

Others present during the ceremony included the remaining Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblymen as well as six opposition state assemblymen namely four from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and two from DAP.

The First Session of the First Term of the 19th Sarawak State Assembly Sitting will convene for three days until Wednesday. This is also the first sitting after the 12th Sarawak Election, which concluded on Dec 18 last year.

There was no opening ceremony of the sitting by the Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud today, which will be held at a later date to be confirmed by the state government.

A total of five Bills are expected to be tabled and read during this sitting. Uggah who is also the Sarawak Second Finance Minister will table the Supplementary Supply Bill.

Other Bills to be tabled during this sitting included Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. - NST