ALOR STAR: Kedah state government is expected to have 80 per cent new faces in its exco line-up during the swearing in ceremony at Istana Anak Bukit tomorrow morning.
Based on the 4:3:2:1 composition with Speaker and deputy speaker going to PKR and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) respectively, the line-up is expected to give fresh breath to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir’s administration.
An inside source revealed that based on the 14th General Election (GE14), on May 9, from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact, PKR won eight seats, PPBM (five), Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) three, and DAP two seats.
From the 10 candidates, the source said, four were from PKR, PAN (3) PPBM (2) and DAP, one representative.
“The eight new faces were Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam-PPBM), Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris (Kubang Rotan-PAN), Dr Salmee Said (Kota Siputeh-PAN) and Tan Kok Yew (Derga-DAP).
“PKR representatives in the line-up are Zamri Yusof (Suka Menanti), Azman Nasrudin (Lunas), Simon ooi Tze Min (Bakar Arang) and R Summugam (Bukit Selambau).
“The two spots would be filled by senior politicians namely Anak Bukit assemblyman who is also the Kubang Pasu parliamentary member Datuk Ir Amiruddin Hamzah (PPBM) and Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh (Pengkalan Kundor-PAN), ” the source said.
It is learnt that the state speaker’s position will be filled by former Kuala Kedah parliamentary member from PKR, Datuk Ahmad Kassim while the deputy is slated to be filled by Ayer Hangat assemblyman, Johari Bulat from PPBM.
“Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi (Alor Mengkudu-PAN) was earlier appointed to the line-up but he declined and his name was replaced with Dr Salmee.
“It is expected that Amiruddin will hold the Finance, Religion and Investment portfolios while Halimaton (Women and Welfare), Dr Ismail (Health and Information) and Mohd Asmirul (Youth and Sports).
“At the moment, we are not using the same portfolios arranged by the previous government because Mukhriz wants all exco members to have the right qualifications for the portfolios,” he said.
PH that contested using PKR logo in GE14 was given the mandate to form a new government after winning 18 of the total 36 state seats.
As opposition, Pas hold 15 seats while Barisan Nasional (three)
Following PKR success, Mukhriz, who is the Jerlun parliamentary member, was appointed the 13th Kedah Menteri Besar.
This was the second time, Mukhriz was sworn in as Menteri Besar Kedah. The first was after BN wrested the state from Pas-lead state government during the 13th General Election in 2013.