ISKANDAR PUTERI: Four state assemblymen have been barred from entering the fourth session of the Johor state assembly following health concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       State Speaker Suhaizan Kayat said Tenggaroh assemblyman K. Raven Kumar from MIC had tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday (Aug 19) while DAP's Tangkak assemblyman Ee Chin Li has been identified as a close contact to a positive case.

       “The two assemblymen will have to miss this meeting, which would be held until Wednesday (Aug 25),” he said on Sunday (Aug 22).

       Suhaizan added that the other two assemblymen were Johor Lama assemblyman Rosleli Jahari from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and DAP's Senai assemblyman Tee Boon Tsong.

       “Tee showed some symptoms where he has been coughing and we asked him to go home as a precautionary measure.

       “Rosleli, meanwhile, tested positive after an RTK test at Bangunan Sultan Ismail before entering the August House.

       "However, he tested negative during a second test held at Sultanah Aminah Hospital,” he said.

       Suhaizan said both Tee and Rosleli would be put under home quarantine until Tuesday (Aug 24).

       He added that besides the four assemblymen, former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Gambir assemblyman; and Simpang Jeram assemblyman Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who is Parti Amanah Negara deputy president; had said they could not attend the meeting.

       In a Facebook post, Tee said he was not allowed to enter the meeting as he had a dry cough despite his RTK test showing negative.

       “I have done the PCR test and am waiting for the latest result. Hopefully, I can be back in the August House on Monday (Aug 23),” he said.

       The fourth session of the Johor state assembly, which was officiated by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on Aug 12, had to be postponed to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19.

       Among the measures included having a travel bubble for all 56 assemblymen and making it compulsory for all attending the meeting, including members of the media, to undergo daily RTK tests before the meeting starts.