KUCHING: Sarawak's newly-elected assemblymen have been sworn in at the legislative assembly here on Monday (Feb 14), nearly two months after the Dec 18 state polls.
A total of 79 of the 82 elected representatives took their oaths in front of Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar during the two-hour ceremony.
Those absent were Natural Resources and Urban Development Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting and Repok assemblyman Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.
Asfia said he had granted a leave of absence to Len Talif and Huang for the duration of the three-day sitting and to Ting for the first two days as they were currently in quarantine.
Leading the swearing-in was Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, followed by his three deputies Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The other ministers and assistant ministers then took their oath, followed by the rest of the assemblymen.
This is the first sitting of the state assembly since Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) swept to a landslide victory in the election.
GPS won 76 of the 82 seats on offer, with Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) taking four and DAP two.
Five Bills are scheduled to be tabled during the three-day sitting, including a constitutional amendment Bill proposing to rename the chief minister's post to "Premier".
The others are the Supplementary Supply (2021) Bill, Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, Sago and Nipah Development Board Bill and Sarawak Rubber Industry Board Bill.
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