ARAU: Eight assemblymen took their oaths of office as executive council members at Istana Arau today in front of Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.
Also present was Raja Muda Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
Those appointed as exco members are Asmaiza Ahmad (Chuping assemblyman), Nurulhisham Yaakob (Simpang Empat), Azizan Sulaiman (Santan), Hamizan Hassan (Kayang), Rozaini Rais (Beseri), Rozieana Ahmad (Pauh), Siti Berenee Yahaya (Mata Ayer) and Teh Chai Ann (Titi Tinggi).
Their appointments end a protracted episode following the 14th general election (GE14) more than a month ago, on May 9, in which a crisis erupted after the appointment of Datuk Seri Azlan Man as menteri besar.
Nine Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen had boycotted Azlan’s swearing-in ceremony and had, according to state BN chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, insisted on a different person as the MB.
The crisis was only recently resolved.
With the oath-taking ceremony, all state governments now have an exco lineup.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Azlan said it is now time for the state government to get down to business as there is much to do for the development of Perlis.
“I am confident that all eight assemblymen will work diligently in carrying out their duties, and with full commitment. We are all members of one team and we will move in concert in carrying out the agenda that has been set out in developing Perlis,” he said.
On the differences between the state and federal governments, Azlan said he believed the latter will not marginalise opposition-held state governments.
“I am confident the Pakatan Harapan (federal) government will not discriminate. This is what the prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) had said, that there would be no discrimination against opposition-held states.”
Azlan, who is Bintong assemblyman, said he will chair the administration and finance; investment and international trade; economic development and industrial development; land affairs; and, internal security and public order committees.
Asmaiza, meanwhile, will hold the rural development and poverty eradication; new growth centres development; tourism; and, culture, arts and heritage portfolios.
The agriculture and agro-based industry; commodities; and, public complaints and integrated enforcement portfolios will be placed under Nurulhisham, while Azizan will hold the housing and local government; domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism; and, entrepreneurial and small and medium industry development portfolios.
Hamizan, meanwhile, will chair the public amenities; transport; youth and sport; and, non-governmental bodies committees, with Ruzaini in charge of Islamic affairs; welfare and disaster aid; and, border relations and cooperation.
Rozieana has been placed in charge of education; human resources development; science, technology and innovation; and, information and communications technology.
Meanwhile, Siti Berenee will hold the women, family and community development; social unity; and, special duties portfolios, while Teh will take charge of natural resources and environment; biotechnology and green technology; and, health committees.
