KUALA PILAH: Negri Sembilan's exco line-up should be decided by Friday (Aug 7), says Datuk Ismail Lasim.
The ninth Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said he would be meeting the Barisan Nasional chairman soon for advice on the exco appointments.
"I will meet my party (Umno) president to seek his views on the exco appointments.
"I hope to get the line-up ready by Friday to be presented to Tuanku Muhriz for his consent," he told reporters at his first press conference as Mentri Besar.
Ismail said the exco line-up will include assemblymen from Barisan as well as Perikatan Nasional.
In Saturday's polls, Barisan won 25 seats and Perikatan 11.
Both parties had formed a political pact before the polls to ensure they did not face each other in the election.
Asked if there would be new portfolios, Ismail said he had no thought about it yet.
However, he would keep the number of exco members at 10.
Asked about the absence of some Umno assemblymen at his swearing-in earlier, Ismail said they probably had prior commitments.
"Today's ceremony was only decided late last night. Those unable to attend must have made other plans for this morning," he said.
Asked if he anticipates any problems working with the Federal Government, Ismail said there should not be any.
"The Federal Government is a unity government with Barisan in it. Barisan also forms the state government in Negri Sembilan and I don't see any problems working together," he added.
Earlier, Ismail declared Monday (Aug 3) a state holiday hours after being sworn in as Mentri Besar.
Ismail said he had received the consent of the state ruler to declare the holiday.
"This is to express our gratitude to all who had participated and worked hard during the recent campaign for the state election," he said.
In Saturday's election, Barisan won 25 of the 36 state seats while Pakatan Harapan won the remaining 11.
