KOTA BARU: Meranti assemblyman Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud was sworn in as the 9th Mentri Besar of Kelantan.
Mohd Nassuruddin, 58, took his oath of office before the Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian, here yesterday.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan was also sworn in as the new Deputy Mentri Besar, Bernama reported.
The appointments of Mohd Nassuruddin and Mohamed Fadzli put an end to speculation following PAS-Bersatu’s landslide win in last Saturday’s state polls.
Prior to his appointment, Mohd Nassuruddin served as the state Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Regional Relations Committee chairman since 2013.
He has held the Meranti seat for seven consecutive terms since winning it in 1995.
Mohd Nassuruddin, who is also the Kelantan PAS information chief, retained the seat after defeating Zahri Omar from Barisan Nasional with a majority of 9,154 votes.
New chapter: Mohd Nassuruddin taking his oath of office before Sultan Muhammad during the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian in Kota Baru. — Bernama
A graduate of Al-Azhar University, Egypt, he is married to Datin Wan Norhanita Wan Yaakob, and they have five children.
PAS and its ally Bersatu succeeded in forming a state government in Kelantan after sweeping 43 out of the 45 seats at stake.
Mohamed Fadzli, who previously served as the state Human Development, Education, Higher Education and Information Technology Committee chairman, has served as Temangan assemblyman since winning the seat in the 12th General Election.
Born in Machang, Mohamed Fadzli is a former Asst Prof at the International Islamic University of Malaysia’s (IIUM) Faculty of Law and has served as the deputy director of IIUM’s Harun Mahmud Hashim Law Centre.
Nine assemblymen – eight from PAS and one from Bersatu – were also sworn in as state executive councillors.
They are Major Datuk Md Anizam Ab Rahman (Kemahang), Datuk Dr Izani Husin (Kijang), Saripuddin Tuan Ismail (Selising), Wan Roslan Wan Hamat (Pengkalan Kubor), Rohani Ibrahim (Tanjong Mas), Mohd Asri Mat Daud (Demit), Zamakhshari Mohamad (Apam Putra), Hilmi Abdullah (Guchil) and Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor (Air Lanas).
Meanwhile, in Seremban, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said they might rename the state executive council portfolios to align them with the federal ministerial designations.
He said the councillors’ job scopes would also be enhanced to ensure the state administration runs smoothly and efficiently.
“(On the new exco line-up and portfolios), we will be discussing very soon, God willing, within this week, with preparations for their swearing-in.
“I will be meeting (unity government) party leaders and also their top leaders for a decision,” he told reporters after commencing his official duties yesterday.
