ALOR STAR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) linchpin Bersatu has only three assemblypersons in the new Kedah exco line-up, compared to five in the previous term.
In addition, six exco members are from PAS and one from Gerakan, as well as Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who holds eight portfolios – state planning, land affairs, minerals and geoscience, earth resources, finance, GLCs, the state Economic Action Council, and Kedah Development 2035 and external cooperation.
The Bersatu reps, who were sworn in today, are Bukit Kayu Hitam’s Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (welfare, women, family, and community, and unity), Suka Menanti’s Dzowahir Ab Ghani (agriculture, plantation and transport) and Kubang Rotan’s Mohd Salleh Saidin (agriculture, plantation and transport).
It is understood that the Bersatu leadership had submitted five names that were agreed upon by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The 10 assemblypersons – of whom seven are new faces – took their oath of office before the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, in a ceremony that began at 10am at Balai Mengadap Besar, Istana Anak Bukit.
PAS reps in the lineup are:
– Merbau Pulas assemblyman Datuk Siti Ashah Ghazali (rural, poverty eradication and human development committee),
– Sg Limau assemblyman Mohd Azam Abd Samat (education, religion, communications and information committee),
– Jitra assemblyman Haim Hilman Abdullah (industry and investment, higher education, and science, technology and innovation),
– Kuala Nerang assemblyman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria (works, natural resources, water supply and resources, and environment committee),
– Kuala Ketil assemblyman Mansor Zakaria (housing, local government and health), and
– Alor Mengkudu assemblyman Muhammad Radhi Mat Din (consumer and cost of living, youth and sports)
Gerakan’s sole exco is Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zhen (human resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese communities and NGOs).
Also present was state secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali.
Perikatan Nasional formed the state government after capturing 33 of the 36 seats up for grabs in the August 12 state polls.
The other three seats, Kota Darul Aman, Sidam, and Bakar Arang, were won by Pakatan Harapan. – August 21, 2023