Seventy-one state assemblypersons who won in the Sarawak state election on April 16, were sworn in as members of the Sarawak state legislative assembly in Kuching today.

All state assemblypersons comprising 55 from the BN, 15 from the opposition - 12 DAP and PKR (three) - and one Independent candidate, took their oath before the speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also the Balingian assemblyperson, led the swearing-in ceremony and signed his oath of office, followed by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, who is also the Layar assemblyperson.

Later, land and development minister James Jemut Masing, who is the Balleh assemblyperson, and social development and urbanisation minister William Mawan, who is also the Pakan assemblyperson, were sworn in and followed by state cabinet ministers and state assemblypersons.

The 17th Sarawak state legislative assembly starts its first sitting from today until June 29.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin will grace the State legislative assembly opening and deliver his address at the first meeting tomorrow.

Two bills - Land Custody and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011 and Supplementary Supply (2010) Bill - will be tabled at the sitting while there is a total of 355 questions for oral and written replies.

Two motions by Bukit Assek assemblyman Wong Ho Leng would be tabled in the sitting.

During the April 16 state election, the BN won 55 out of 71 seats contested.

The BN seats comprise 35 under Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), eight under Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and six each under Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

Taib was sworn in as chief minister on April 16 after BN secured two-thirds majority in the election while all eight state ministers, who retained their respective seats were sworn in as members of the new state cabinet on April 18.

Twelve assistant ministers, who retained their respective seats in the April election, were sworn in as assistant ministers in the new state cabinet on May 3.

- Bernama