JAIMIN Samitah – the special functions officer to Deputy Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Guandee Kohoi – who succumbed to Covid-19 yesterday is believed to have contracted the virus from Parliament, during the recent special sitting.

Guandee’s private secretary Ardino Diris confirmed the matter.

According to Ardino, Jaimin had been inoculated against Covid-19 and initially tested negative when given a swab test on July 29.

Ardino said that, despite this, Jaimin started developing symptoms and was confirmed positive following a further test four days later.

“On July 29 he (Jaimin) tested negative. Then on July 30 he went to the ministry office in Putrajaya as normal but wasn’t feeling so well. He said he wanted to go back and rest.

“On July 31, he said he didn’t feel comfortable so he went for an RT-PCR swab test [...] on August 2 it was confirmed he was positive,” Ardino was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini

According to the Ministry of Health, at least 88 cases have arisen from the recent special Dewan Rakyat sitting, which ended abruptly on July 29 after the first cases appeared.

Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau was saddened by Jaimin’s death. The two were relatives.

“Jaimin was my deputy when I was chairman of the Sabah Cultural Board. He was also related to my wife.

“I will remember him as an easy-going man who always smiled but was stern in his principles. We have lost a leader who invested a lot for the community,” the Upko president posted on his Facebook. – August 10, 2021.