Saturday March 22, 2008

Barisan reps in Penang to form shadow exco

BALIK PULAU: The 11 Barisan assemblymen who are now the opposition to the DAP-led Government, will form a shadow state executive councillor line-up to keep an eye on the state.

Headed by Datuk Azhar Ibrahim as the state Opposition Leader, the state assemblymen, all from Umno, will meet next week to discuss the distribution of portfolios.

»We will raise issues pertaining to state affairs publicly or at the state assembly« DATUK SERI DR HILMI YAHAYA

Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said: “We have enough assemblymen to keep watch on the DAP-led state government.”

He said they would raise issues pertaining to state affairs publicly or at the state assembly.

“We will support the current government if its policies are good,” he told newsmen after meeting Singapore’s St John Chapel Choir group at Pusat Harian Harapan Bakti here yesterday.

Dr Hilmi said he was concerned about several proposed private projects, including the building of a hospital, university campus and tourist attractions in Balik Pulau that were initiated last year.

“With the new state government, the projects may be put on hold, especially when some of the development involved land conversion.”

He said he would seek Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s support on the matter at the coming state assembly sitting.

On whether he would return to his medical practice, Dr Hilmi said he was getting too lazy to do so, preferring “to go around and be closer to the people.”

Earlier, Dr Hilmi, who is the centre’s patron, received a cheque for RM3,000 from Penang St George’s Church vicar Joel Leow.

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