KUCHING (Aug 17): Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar was on Thursday (Aug 17) sworn in as the acting Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, effective from Wednesday to Sept 17.

Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud is currently recuperating overseas.

The swearing-in ceremony was held in Astana Negeri Sarawak, and witnessed by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Kuching High Court judge Datuk Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab.

At the ceremony, Abang Johari also read the letter of appointment of Mohamad Asfia as the acting governor, signed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Mohamad Asfia, 75, who started holding the position of the speaker of the state assembly in 2000, was previously appointed as the acting Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak from Dec 1, 2019 to Jan 11, 2020.

On Aug 3, Astana Negeri Sarawak urged the public not to be misled by unverified news and speculation about Abdul Taib’s health.

The governor's private secretary, Junih Salleh Ahmad, said that Abdul Taib's condition had been improving, and he is currently recuperating overseas and will return home soon.