SABAH CM HAJIJI TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

9 OCTOBER 2020

Datuk Hajiji Haji Noor

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has tested positive for Covid-19 and is being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.

Hajiji's public relations secretary, Effendi Mohamed Sunoh, said the Chief Minister's condition was stable, as he underwent treatment at the hospital.

The statement came late Friday (Oct 9), amid rife speculation about his health on social media.

Effendi said Hajiji had voluntarily gone on self-quarantine a few days ago after a member of his staff tested positive for the virus.

He said during quarantine, Hajiji undertook a second test which confirmed that he was Covid-19-positive.

"Hajiji's condition is good and stable," he said.

He added that the Chief Minister continued to carry out his duties and responsibilities via phones and teleconferencing in the hospital.

Effendi said Hajiji had urged Sabahans to remain calm and pray for the state and country to overcome the pandemic.

On Thursday (Oct 8), the Chief Minister’s Office said Hajiji was on a two-week self-quarantine, after he was exposed to a person who tested positive for Covid-19.

The official statement said there would be no disruption to the daily administration of government and any matters, if needed, would be done via video conferencing.

Hajiji, 65, did not attend the swearing-in of five members of his cabinet and 18 assistant ministers at Istana Negeri on Thursday.

He was among five newly elected and nominated assemblymen who did not attend the swearing-in ceremony before Speaker Datuk Kadzim M. Yahya at the Sabah State Assembly on Friday afternoon. – TheStar/ 9 Okt 2020