JOHOR BARU: The Johor state assembly sitting will still go ahead as scheduled on next Thursday (Aug 12) despite two assemblymen testing positive for Covid-19.

       State Speaker Suhaizan Kayat said the two assemblymen were Johor Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Solihan Badri, who is Tenang assemblyman, and Mahkota assemblyman Muhamad Said Jonit from PKR, who had switched from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) early this year.

       “With Solihan testing positive for Covid-19, all state leaders including myself recently went for a swab test after we came into close contact with him. Alhamdulilah, all of us tested negative,” he said when contacted here on Wednesday (Aug 4).

       Suhaizan, who is Amanah national organising secretary, added that he had contacted the two assemblymen to see how they were doing following their test results.

       “Both are in good health as they have been vaccinated and Said told me that he is asymptomatic and should make a full recovery soon.

       “However, all 56 assemblymen as well as government officials attending the sitting must go for a swab test this coming Monday (Aug 9),” he said.

       He added that those who tested positive for Covid-19 would not be allowed to enter the sitting.

       “God willing, the state assembly sitting next Thursday will go ahead as planned without any hiccups,” he said.

       When asked if there were any motions for the state assembly, Suhaizan confirmed he had only received one from Skudai assemblyman Tan Hong Pin.

       He added that the motion from Tan was on Covid-19, including the vaccination rate and the National Recovery Plan.

       “So far that is the only motion I have received as the assemblymen have 14 days before the sitting to start filing a motion and since we have about a week before the state assembly starts, there would not be enough time for another motion.

       “All assemblymen can file an emergency motion but there are several criteria that should be met but then only I, as the state Speaker, can decide whether such a motion could go ahead,” he added.

       Meanwhile, in a tweet, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, who is also state Umno chairman, said his administration would continue to uphold democracy.

       “We will continue to uphold democracy and abide by Undang-Undang Tubuh Negeri Johor,” he tweeted.