GEORGE TOWN: Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz cannot hold the State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker's post if he is appointed a state executive councillor (exco), says Penang Pakatan Harapan chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“If one is to serve as an executive councillor, one cannot continue serving as the Deputy Speaker. It has to be one or the other," Chow told reporters after attending the opening of the 5th International Conference on Asian Local Studies here on Friday (Aug 7).
Chow, who is also the Penang Chief Minister, was responding to speculation that Azrul could replace Umno's Datuk Rashidi Zinol as an exco member amid a pending review of Pakatan's cooperation with Barisan Nasional. He was asked whether a Deputy Speaker could also hold the exco post simultaneously.
The Penang Pakatan Council is scheduled to meet at the Penang DAP headquarters at 3pm on Saturday (Aug 8) to review its cooperation with Barisan.
Chow said a press conference would be held immediately after the meeting to announce its outcome.
On speculation of a possible state exco reshuffle, Chow said no meeting had been held on the matter and that all issues remained open for discussion.
Azrul's possible elevation to the state executive council has been the subject of speculation as he is the sole Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) assemblyman in the Penang legislature.
Following the 2023 state election, there had been expectations that Amanah would be given an exco position to ensure representation from all component parties in the Pakatan-led state government.
However, Amanah was not allocated an exco seat in the final line-up, with Azrul subsequently appointed Deputy Speaker on Chow's recommendation.
With Pakatan and Barisan now reviewing their cooperation in Penang, speculation has intensified over a possible state exco reshuffle and whether Azrul could finally secure a place in the state executive council.
