ALOR SETAR: The state exco line-up will be revamped following the appointment of Kubang Pasu member of parliament and Anak Bukit assemblyman Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah as the Deputy Finance Minister this morning.
Amiruddin, who held the state portfolio of Finance, State Government-owned Companies, Industry and Investment and Religious Affairs was earlier sworn in at Istana Negara, along with other Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.
A source said new faces would be announced by Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir in the revamped state exco line-up, which include an assemblyman from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to fill the vacancy left by Amiruddin, who is also the former state legislative assembly opposition leader.
“Kuah assemblyman, Mohd Firdaus Ahmad from PPBM, is expected to be appointed as a state exco, but his portfolio had yet to be decided.
“Another PPBM representative, Ayer Hangat assemblyman, Juhari Bulat who is the state legislative assembly deputy speaker, had earlier declined to be appointed as the speaker.
“Juhari decided that he wanted to give more attention on his constituency after defeating former state exco Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid from Barisan Nasional (in the 14th General Election).
“He made a promise to his constituencies to be more present in the area should he win the election,” the source told NSTP.
He said Mukriz did not lose sleep over the matter as the issue of the state Speaker had also been resolved.
“The appointment of the Speaker would be finalised in the first session of the state assembly.
“It was decided that former Kuala Kedah member of parliament, who is from PKR, Datuk Ahmad Kassim would be appointed as the Speaker with Juhari as the deputy speaker.
“Mukhriz also received the support from three Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen, namely, Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak), Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor (Bandar Baharu) and Datuk Suraya Yaacob (Sungai Tiang),” he said.
Pakatan Harapan formed the state government after winning 18 state seats, while Pas and BN hold 15 and three seats, respectively.
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