All sworn-in GRS lawmakers negative for Covid-19: Masidi

Kota Kinabalu: All Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) lawmakers underwent Covid-19 tests, as instructed by the Health Ministry, prior to taking their oaths as assemblymen.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the tests were required as part of conditions to enter the state assembly building, yesterday.

"We (GRS representatives) had all our Covid-19 tests done. The results came out negative.

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"All were allowed in to take their oaths, except two (representatives) who were indisposed," he told the New Straits Times via a text message, today.

Apart from the Chief Minister, two GRS appointed representatives were absent yesterday. They were Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and state Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Srikandi deputy chief Datuk Amisah Yassin.

When asked what he meant by "indisposed," Masidi, who is also Bersatu deputy chief and Karanaan assemblyman, responded: "Amisah is under voluntary self-quarantine and Datuk Yong Teck Lee could not make it in time."

He was responding to a question on whether state Cabinet ministers and GRS assemblymen had been tested for the coronavirus after Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive.

Hajiji's diagnosis was announced late last night by Public Relations secretary to the Chief Minister, Effendi Mohamed Sunoh, after netizens had gotten hold of Hajiji's Covid-19 test result, which went viral on social media.

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Meanwhile, when contacted, Yong said he was unable take his oath yesterday as he had to attend other pre-arranged appointments.

"I had informed the state assembly officer (about not being able to make it). I informed the office that I will take the oath another day. This is allowed under standing orders," said the former Chief Minister.

Health-wise, Yong said he was feeling well and not under home quarantine.

Among those absent at yesterday's oath-taking ceremony were two Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) representatives.

They were Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sembakong and Bugaya assemblywoman Datin Manis Muka Mohd Darah.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Warisan said 21 of its elected representatives were sworn in yesterday, except for Jaujan and Manis Muka.

The party said the duo was unable to attend the ceremony as they are currently under voluntary self-quarantine in Semporna, which is listed as a Covid-19 red zone.

"The other 21 assemblymen all underwent the rapid test kit Antigen test, as advised by the Sabah Health Department in a letter dated Oct 6, 2020.

"The test was a prerequisite for all assemblymen wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony," it said.