Abiding by social distancing at Sabah state assembly
This year’s first sitting of the Sabah state assembly has begun with compliance to conditions set under the MCO. Less than 50 are allowed in the chamber at any one time and they have to sit a metre apart from each other.
KOTA KINABALU: Social distancing marked the opening for the first sitting of the Sabah state assembly for 2020 with Yang DiPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin delivering the opening speech.
The ministers, government backbenchers and opposition members sat a metre away from each other at the state assembly hall in compliance with the movement restriction order (MCO).
The assembly will also comply with the restriction that not more than 50 people gather, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Hence, only 50 of the 65 assemblymen will be allowed to sit within the assembly hall at any one time.
“They will rotate with some staying outside the hall,” he said.
He added these were among the measures to limit the number of people at the assembly.
The session was held because it was a state constitutional requirement for the assembly to sit at least once every six months, said Mohd Shafie.
“Our last session was held in November and we were required to sit by May.
In view of the uncertainties of the MCO in May, we decided to hold it this month,” he added yesterday.
The assembly will sit again on Monday and Tuesday with each session lasting only until noon.
“If you look at it, it is a one-day sitting spread out over two days,” he said.
The state assembly sessions were streamed live to the public including the media with only government media allowed to cover the session.
According to assembly officials, it was part of overall efforts to reduce the number of people attending the assembly meeting.