IPOH – Three Perak assemblymen will not be allowed to attend the state assembly, which will begin sitting on Wednesday, as advised by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry (MoH).
Speaker Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid said that this follows after one of them tested positive for Covid-19, another was a close contact, and the third has not yet been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
“I have personally informed them of the advice which we received from NSC and MoH, that they are not allowed to attend the sitting.
“We have to take precautionary measures and comply with the tight standard operating procedures,” he told a press conference here today without revealing the details of the three assemblymen.
He said the state assembly secretary and an official will also be replaced as they have to undergo home quarantine after two staff tested positive.
Meanwhile, Zahir said apart from the oral question-and-answer session and the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address, the sitting will also see the debate on motions to appoint the members of several committees including the Accounts Committee, Standing Orders Committee and the Fundamental Rights and Liberty Committee.
Taking into consideration the escalating situation of the pandemic in the state and upon the advice of the Health Department, the four-day meeting will be held based on the bubble concept.
The bubble concept will involve four main elements – namely the provision of accommodation, transportation, the extension of meeting spaces and daily screening tests – for those involved in the sitting.
To minimise movement, all individuals involved are required to stay at the Impiana Hotel and use the transportation provided, as they are prohibited from using private vehicles or e-hailing services.
The Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah is also scheduled to grace the opening of the sitting. – Bernama, August 23, 2021
