Sabah assembly staff to take swab tests prior to sitting next week, says state Speaker

KOTA KINABALU: All Sabah state legislative assembly staff involved in the sitting next week, will be required to undergo Covid-19 swab test starting on Sunday (Sept 19).

According to Sabah Speaker Datuk Kadzim M Yahya, the RTK antigen test was one of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) implemented to control the virus transmission.

The state assembly sitting would kickstart with an opening session by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on Tuesday (Sept 21), followed by a two-day sitting.

"Besides the full vaccination requirement for all staff and assemblymen, we also set this screening, where they must do it 48 hours prior to the opening session.

"At the same time based on the Health Ministry’s recommendation, I advise state assemblymen not to stay too long in the hall, to avoid the possibility of transmission on location.

"This is why we shortened the period of sitting (to two days)," he added in a statement released by Information Department.

Kadzim also informed that from their side, they have installed dividers between the seats of the assemblymen for safety purposes.

On attendance, he said so far the state assembly has not received any request for permission to be absent.

"But we are aware some elected representatives who are Members of Parliament, are also currently in session (for Parliament)," he added.