Hannah Yeoh appointed first woman speaker

SHAH ALAM: Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh has been appointed Speaker for the Selangor state assembly while Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is the deputy.

Yeoh said the announcement was a nomination by Pakatan Rakyat. She will be officially installed on June 21 when the State Legislative Assembly convenes.

In a simple one-hour ceremony, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim led his 10 executive councillors in taking their oath of office before Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at Istana Alam Shah on Thursday.

They pledged to serve the people of Selangor to the best of their abilities.

The Sultan reminded them to fulfill their election manifesto, saying that it is a promise to the people.

In the exco line-up, Khalid has retained the finance, land and environmental, State Economic Action Council, information and Malay affairs portfolio.

Batu Tiga assemblyman Rodziah Ismail will take over welfare, women affairs, while Daroyah Alwi (Sementa-PKR)will helm health, entrepreneur development, science, technology and innovation.

Bukit Lanjan's Elizabeth Wong (PKR) will lead tourism, consumer affairs, and environment, while Ean Yong Hian Wah (Sri Kembangan-DAP) will head investment, industrialisation and trade, development of new villages and the legalisation of illegal factories.

Teng Chang Khim (Sungai Pinang-DAP) is in charge of local government, study and research, while former Hindraf leader V. Ganapathi Rao (Kota Alam Shah-DAP) will look after estate workers, poverty, and caring government - Xavier Jayakumar's former role.

Halimah Ali (Selat Klang-PAS) takes over education and higher education, and human capital development.

The other roles are led by Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Sijangkang-PAS) - youth and sports, infrastructure and public amenities; Iskandar Abdul Samad (Cempaka-PAS) - housing, building and urban settler management; and Sallehen Mukhyi (Sabak-PAS) - Islamic affairs, agriculture modernisation, rural development.