Seven out of 10 Kedah exco members are new faces

ALOR SETAR: About two-thirds, or seven out of 10, of Kedah’s state executive councillors are new faces.

Bernama reported that the 10 were sworn in before the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, at Istana Anak Bukit at about 10am yesterday.

The ceremony saw them take their oaths of office as exco members before they were presented with letters of appointment by Sultan Sallehuddin.

Merbau Pulas assemblyman Datuk Siti Ashah Ghazali, the rural, poverty eradication and human development committee chairman, was the first to take her oath, followed by Sungai Limau assemblyman Mohd Azam Abd Samat (education, religion, communications and information committee).

They were followed by Jitra assemblyman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah (industry and investment, higher education, and science, technology and innovation committee), Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (welfare, women, family, and community and unity committee) and Kuala Nerang assemblyman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria (works, natural resources, water supply and resources, and environment committee).

The others who took their oath included Kuala Ketil assemblyman Mansor Zakaria (housing, local government and health committee), Suka Menanti assemblyman Dzowahir Ab Ghani (agriculture, plantation and transport committee) and Kubang Rotan assemblyman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin (tourism, culture and entrepreneurship committee).

Alor Mengkudu assemblyman Muhammad Radhi Mat Din (consumer and cost of living, youth and sports committee) and Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zhen (human resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese communities and non-governmental organisations committee) also took their oaths.

Except for Siti Ashah, Halimaton and Mohamad Yusoff, the rest are new faces in the exco.

Jeneri assemblyman Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was sworn in for a second term as Mentri Besar on Aug 14, was present at the ceremony.

He also holds the state planning, land affairs and finance portfolios.

Also present was State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali.

Perikatan Nasional formed the state government after it captured 33 out of 36 seats in the Aug 12 state polls.

The other three seats, Kota Darul Aman, Sidam and Bakar Arang, were won by Pakatan Harapan.