PKR takes lion’s share of Kedah Exco posts

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir forgoes finance portfolio.

(Facebook pic)

ALOR SETAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir and nine other state assemblymen were today sworn in as state executive councillors after Pakatan Harapan (PH) got the nod to form the state government despite not having a majority.

In the 14th general election, PH won 18 state seats, one short of the simple majority of 19 in the 36-seat assembly. The remaining seats were won by PAS (15) and Barisan Nasional (BN-3).

Of the 18 seats PH won, PKR took seven, PPBM five, Amanah four and DAP two.

The swearing-in ceremony took place before Kedah Sultan Tunku Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah at Istana Anak Bukit.

The Exco composition followed a 4:3:2:1 formula among the four-party PH coalition, with four PKR representatives, followed by PPBM with three, Amanah two, and DAP one.

Mukhriz, who is Jitra assemblyman, will take charge of the economic planning unit, state planning, land affairs, crops and natural resources, as well as the State Action Council.

The state finance portfolio was assigned to PPBM’s Anak Bukit assemblyman Amiruddin Hamzah who will also be responsible for state-owned companies, industry and investments, as well as religion.

Kedah Amanah chairman and Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman Ismail Salleh. (Facebook pic)

Kedah Amanah chairman Ismail Salleh, who is Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman, will helm the information, health, and rural development committee.

Kedah DAP chairman and Derga assemblyman Tan Kok Yew will head the tourism, local government and housing committee.

The following are the remaining six state executive councillors and their respective portfolios:

• Zamri Yusuf (PKR-Suka Menanti)

Science, Innovation and Information Technology; Works; Water Supply, Water and Energy Resources

• Azman Nashrudin (PKR-Lunas)

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Transport, Human Capital Development

• Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris (Amanah-Kubang Rotan)

Youth and Sports; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Entrepreneur Development; Non-governmental Organisations

• Ooi Tze Min (PKR-Bakar Arang)

Chinese and Siamese Community Affairs; Human Resources; Environment

• Salmee Said (Amanah-Kota Siputeh)

Education, Communications and High Technology, Domestic Trade

• R Summugam (PKR-Bukit Selambau)

Indian Community Affairs; Unity; Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives

• Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (PPBM-Bukit Kayu Hitam)

Women Development, Community Welfare, Poverty Eradication -FMT