STATE Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang will restrict the number of visitors, including media practitioners, when the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting is held at the Dewan Sri Pinang from Oct 12 to Oct 19.
He said he would be assessing the Covid-19 situation in the next seven to 10 days before sending out invitations to visitors and the press.
“I dare not say I will open the meeting to all the press. Even if there are not many or serious Covid-19 cases I will also restrict the number of people. Like it or not, we’re still in RMCO (recovery movement control order) period.
“We will take the opinion of the Health Ministry and Security Council to protect ourselves and others.
“If we’ve to take drastic action, we have no choice but to do it. So, we have to follow the SOP (standard operating procedure) and hold it under the new normal,” Law said when he was interviewed by Buletin Mutiara for an update on the renovation works at the State Assembly Building in Light Street yesterday.
The Covid-19 cases in the country have spiked in recent days, particularly in Sabah and Kedah.
Law said most of the questions received for the coming sitting are related to economy that has been impacted by the virus pandemic, government plans, job opportunities, tourism recovery, Penang and Federal Government-related projects, Penang Transport Master Plan and the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
A motion that the state government wants to forward to the Assembly to declare the seats of assemblymen who had violated the state’s anti-hopping law vacant is expected to generate much interest.
Law said the sitting would still be held at Dewan Sri Pinang as the restoration works at the State Assembly Building in Light Street is still ongoing and is expected to be completed very soon.
The renovation works, which started since November 2018, were scheduled to be completed in March this year but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Public Works Department (PWD) had asked for an extension.
Now, Law said he expects PWD to hand over the building to the State Assembly by the middle or end of this month.
The initial renovation cost was estimated to be RM3.6 million but PWD later revised the figure to RM4.5 million because of additional cost. The expenses were borne by PWD.
“The major repair involves the replacement of the damaged roof structure for the safety of everyone. It was reported to me that the roof structure may collapse as certain joints had become loose and the situation was dangerous.
“Basically, we have incorporated some elements, such as TV screen, panels and we have changed some framework, carpet and lighting system. We have also given the building a new coat of paint.
“The seating arrangement remains the same. We’re maintaining the same furniture because the tables and chairs can still be used. I don’t want to spend too much,” Law said.
He said to repair a Category ‘A’ heritage building like the State Assembly Building, which was built over 200 years ago, was also a big challenge for the contractor as they need to source the right type of wood and other materials for approval from the technical department.
Even if the current renovation works on the building were to be completed earlier, Law said it could not be used to convene the coming meeting because of space constraint.
He said the limited space in the hall would not be able to accommodate all 40 assemblymen from practising physical distancing.
A proposal had been suggested before for the state to look for a new location to build a bigger state Assembly building.
Law said previously, the State Assembly Building had undergone only small scale renovation.
Built in 1820s, the Anglo-Indian classic style building, incorporating elements of classical Greek and Palladian (European style) architecture, has a very beautiful facade.
Based on historical records, the original building was built by convict labourers from India. It was part of George Town’s Central Police station, housing the Recorder’s and Magistrate’s Courts.
The building retained its judicial function until 1959 when it was converted for use to host the State Legislative Assembly.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
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