Perlis has two women in exco for the first time

ARAU: For the first time, two women have been included in the Perlis executive council.  

Indera Kayangan assemblyman Oui Ah Lan and Sena assemblyman Azihani Datuk Ali were among four new faces who were sworn in before the Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail at Istana Arau yesterday. 

The other two new faces were Mata Ayer assemblyman Khairi Hassan, 47, and Kayang assemblyman Azam Rashid, 46. 

They joined Pauh assemblyman Datuk Abu Bakar Ismail, 62, and Beseri assemblyman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, 43, who were retained for another term after the 11th general election. 

Also present at the ceremony were the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, his wife Datin Seri Shamsiah Mohd Yassin and other assemblymen. 

NEW TEAM: The Regent (left) and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis with the state executive councillors after the swearing-in ceremony in Arau on Wednesday. From right are Zahidi, Azam, Abu Bakar, Khairi, Oui and Azihani.

Oui, 61, a former headmistress, and Azihani, 39, a former sub-editor with Harian Metro said they would do their best to help the people. 

Oui is the state Wanita MCA chief while Azihani is the state Wanita Umno deputy chief. 

Later, Shahidan said the portfolios of the new excos would be announced today and it would also include the appointments of the legislative assembly speaker and the deputy. 

He said the appointments would be effective until next April as Perlis, like Kedah, appointed its exco members on a yearly basis. 

He said creating jobs and eradicating poverty would be the thrust of the government’s development agenda.