GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state executive council, which was sworn in yesterday, is a young and vibrant team capable of taking the state forward, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
The average age of the new line-up is 47, eight years younger than the line-up of 2018.
“They are vibrant young professionals. This line-up is capable of spearheading Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional’s challenge right until the next general election,” said Chow, who will be heading the finance, economic development, land and communications portfolio.
However, there was only one woman in the line-up – Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim. Before dissolution, there were two women – DAP’s Chong Eng and PKR’s Dr Norlela Ariffin.
On the prospect of facing 11 Opposition members from Perikatan Nasional, Chow said his team was up for the challenge.
“We faced 11 Umno members when we first came to power in 2008, and none of us then had any experience in state administration.
“Yet, we overcame that challenge,” said Chow when asked how his exco line-up, comprising seven new faces, would fare.
He said most of the exco members had served at least one term as elected representatives or worked as city councillors.
“They have experience because they were involved in the party activities. If you are talking about debating in Malay, the new generation definitely has better quality with more Bahasa fluency.
“I am sure they will be well-versed about their portfolios in the next six months.”
Ready for the challenges ahead: Chow (right) with the new Penang state executive council members at Komtar. — Pic provided by Buletin Mutiara
“We don’t even know if the Opposition members will be aggressive. We don’t really know them. Let’s see,” said Chow, who witnessed the 10 new state exco members taking their oath in front of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak at Dewan Sri Pinang here yesterday.
On PKR getting two instead of three exco slots, Chow said this was because the party won fewer seats compared to the last state election.
He said there were plans to offer the Deputy Speaker’s post to Amanah’s Azrul Mahathir Aziz following his victory against Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau in Bayan Lepas.
Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister l, is the Islamic development, education and national unity committee chairman.
“Although I may not have political experience, the portfolios suit me well as I have been involved in the education field for years,” he said.
Four-term assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was made the Deputy Chief Minister ll, said he was humbled by his appointment.
Jagdeep, the first Sikh to hold the position, will also oversee human capital development, science and technology this time.
“I have been in the government for 10 years. A change from my previous housing and local government portfolio will be refreshing. I always believe in moving forward,” he said.
The others who made the cut are Zairil Khir Johari (infrastructure, transport and digital development), Wong Hon Wai (tourism and creative economy), Lim Siew Khim (social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs), H’ng Mooi Lye (local government, town and country planning), Gooi Zi Sen (youth, sports and health) and Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo (housing and environment), all from DAP.
Umno’s Rashidi Zinol is trade, entrepreneurial and rural development committee chairman while PKR’s Fahmi Zainol will oversee the agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development portfolio.
The first sitting of the state assembly is scheduled for October and is expected to be an exciting affair between the Pakatan-Barisan pact and Perikatan.
