Penang reps sworn in; Umno woman opposition leader

The assembly sitting will continue next Tuesday with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri scheduled to deliver his speech.

GEORGE TOWN: All 40 state assemblymen took their oath during a simple swearing-in ceremony at the first meeting of first sitting of the 13th Penang legislative assembly term this morning.

The meeting started with PKR’s Bukit Tambun representative Law Choo Kiang elected unopposed as the new assembly Speaker.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP – Air Putih) proposed Law for the position while Deputy Chief Minister I (DCM1) Mohd Rashid Hasnon (PKR – Pantai Jerejak) seconded it.

Legislative assembly secretary M Maheswari announced Law as the new Speaker, replacing out-going Abdul Halim Hussain (2008 – 2013).

Law then led the way when he took his oath of duty first as Speaker, then as assemblyman before Maheswari.

Lim then helped Law to wear the Speaker’s official robe and songkok before taking his seat.

Law was an executive councillor in Pakatan Rakyat state government in the previous assembly term.

After Law delivered his speech, Lim took his oath before the Speaker, followed by Rashid and rest of state executive councillors and assemblymen.

Later PKR assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Maktar Shapee was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker. Lim proposed it while Rashid seconded it.

Maktar replaces previous Deputy Speaker Tan Hock Leong.

Law then announced Umno’s sole assemblywoman Jahara Abdul Hamid (BN – Teluk Air Tawar) as the new Opposition Leader replacing retired Azhar Ibrahim.

A lawyer by profession and formerly a two-term executive councillor under the BN state government, Jahara is the most senior elected representative being a straight five-term assemblywoman.

The assembly sitting will continue next Tuesday on July 2 with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas scheduled to deliver his speech.

Penang Assembly has 29 Pakatan legislators – 19 DAP, 10 PKR and one PAS, and 10 BN representatives all from Umno. There are 17 first time assemblymen and women in this term.