State women, childhood and community well-being development minister Fatimah Abdullah confirmed this at the launch of Sarawak’s Women’s Day celebration today.

“I would like to extend the apologies of our premier for not being able to officiate the awards presentation ceremony as he has tested positive for Covid-19.

“We only received the news last night,” The Borneo Post quoted her as saying.

Abang Johari, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman, was scheduled to present awards to recipients at the ceremony.

Previously, two other members of Sarawak’s Cabinet had tested positive for Covid-19.

Deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian announced in a Facebook post that he had tested positive on Feb 28. Sim has since recovered.

Meanwhile, Gerawat Gala, deputy minister in the premier’s department (labour, immigration and project monitoring), tested positive on March 2.

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