SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan's new state executive council line-up is expected to be sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah on Friday (Aug 7), Sinar Harian reports.
According to the Malay language daily, the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9.45am.
The report, quoting sources, said Barisan Nasional, which won 18 seats in the 36-seat state assembly in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, is expected to be allocated eight exco posts, while Perikatan Nasional, which secured seven seats, is likely to receive two portfolios.
The sources said the distribution of portfolios had almost certainly been finalised following agreements by the respective party leaderships, with no further negotiations expected.
However, they did not rule out the possibility of last-minute changes before the swearing-in ceremony.
The report added that the identity of the senior exco remained unclear and would only be known during Friday's ceremony.
The sources also dismissed speculation that any Pakatan Harapan assemblymen would be appointed to the state executive council, adding that there would be no deputy exco appointments.
Earlier, Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the list of exco members would be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar before the swearing-in ceremony.
In the previous state administration, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Pertang) served as senior exco and headed the agriculture, food security and cost of living portfolio, while Datuk Mustapha Nagoor (BN-Palong) was the youth and sports committee chairman.
