Five new faces in Penang exco line-up

GEORGE TOWN: Five new faces were appointed in the Penang State Executive Council line-up for the new term.

The new faces are three DAP representatives – Soon Lip Chee (Jawi State Assemblyman), Yeoh Soon Hin ( Paya Terubong) and Zairil Khir Johari ( Tanjong Bunga) and two from the PKR namely Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman (Pinang Tunggal) and Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain (Batu Maung).

The ceremony to hand over the instrument of appointment and swearing-in was held before the Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at the Dewan Sri Pinang, here yesterday.

Also present were the wife of the Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and wife Tan Lean Kee, Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus and the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership line-up.

At the ceremony, five members of the previous Exco were reappointed to assist the state government administration namely Prof Dr P. Ramasamy ( Perai), Chong Eng ( Padang Lalang), Jagdeep Singh Deo ( Datok Keramat), Phee Boon Poh ( Sungai Puyu) and Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya).

Ahmad Zakiyuddin was appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister I in place of Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon who is now the Member of Parliament for Batu Pahat while Ramasamy was retained as Deputy Chief Minister II.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin heads the Islamic Religious Affairs, Industrial Development and Community Relations Committee while Ramasamy remains as the Chairman of the State Economic Planning, Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovations Committee.

Meanwhile, Soon Lip Chee headed the State Youth and Sports Committee which was previously under Chong Eng’s portfolio while Yeoh Soon Hin was appointed as Chairman of the State Committee on Tourism, Heritage, Culture in place of Danny Law Heng Kiang who did not contest in the 14th General Election.

Abdul Halim headed the State Committee on Domestic and International Trade, Consumerism and Entrepreneurial Development in place of Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim who is now appointed as the president of the Penang State Islamic Religious Council while Zairil Khir Johari was appointed as chairman of the Public Works, Utility and Flood Mitigation Committee previously haded by Chow.

The four Exco members who were reappointed retained their previous portfolios except for Chong Eng who now heads the Committee on Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religion.

Jagdeep was reappointed to head the Local Government, Housing and Urban and Regional Planning Committee; Phee (chairman of the Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee); and Dr Afif (chairman of the Health, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee). — Bernama