Melaka deputy exco members return

MELAKA: The position of deputy executive councillors has been brought back, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said 10 assemblymen would be announced as deputies and that they would complement the executive committee members.

“I will announce the names of the deputies after chairing the first exco meeting.

“The deputy posts will be something refreshing,” he said after 10 assemblymen were sworn in as executive councillors before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam.

Melaka has a total of 28 assembly seats, with parties in the unity government having 26 seats.

Deputy posts were first introduced by former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron in 2013.

When Pakatan Harapan came into power, the position was abolished in 2018.

Yesterday’s swearing-in saw three new faces – DAP’s Allex Seah Soo Chin (Kesidang) and Umno’s Fairul Nizam Roslan (Asahan) and Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju (Ayer Limau).

Seah will take charge of the entrepreneur, cooperatives development and consumer affairs committee, Fairul Nizam as the science, technology, innovation and digital communications committee chairman while Hameed Mytheen will head the works, public infrastructure, utility and transportation committee.

Ready to serve: The newly-appointed state exco members taking their oaths before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in Ayer Keroh. — Bernama

The new exco line-up comprises seven from Umno and one each from MCA, MIC and DAP.

Previously, there were eight Umno reps and one each from MCA and MIC.

Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Rais Yasin will be the senior exco member in charge of housing and local government, climate change and disaster management committee.

The new Chief Minister will assume the portfolio of economic development, non-governmental agencies, industrial and TVET development committee.

Pledging to uphold the power-sharing concept, Ab Rauf said state assemblymen should work together with the exco members to make it a solid administration.

“I took on the responsibility of leading the state government with the guidance of Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said, adding that the formation of the new administration showed political maturity.

Telok Mas assemblyman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman is now in charge of tourism, heritage and culture.

Among the old faces retained are Merlimau assemblyman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who chairs the rural development, agriculture and food security committee, Ayer Molek assemblyman Datuk Rahmad Mariman (education, higher learning and religious affairs) and Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Kalsom Nordin (women, family and community development).

Others are MCA’s Machap Jaya assemblyman Ngwe Hee Sem (health, human resources and unity) and MIC’s Gadek assemblyman YP Shanmugam (sports, youth and non-governmental organisations).

Ab Rauf, the Tanjung Bidara assemblyman, said 10 deputies would be appoimted today, including representatives from Pakatan to reflect the composition of the unity state government.