KANGAR: Chuping assemblyman Asmaiza Ahmad and his Simpang Empat counterpart Nurulhisham Yaakob are expected to be among those named state executive councillors after the impasse over who would be menteri besar was finally solved earlier this week.
Sources said their services were needed in the administration of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man as they are the two most senior assemblymen among the Barisan Nasional elected representatives.
“They were also exco members in the last term. In fact, they are the only ones from the previous exco lineup who are still around.
“Their experience is definitely needed as they held the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism (Azmaiza) and public amenities, rural development and health (Nurulhisham) portfolios the last time around.
“Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim is also experienced but he may not be included in the exco lineup as even before this he was not appointed to the council,” said a source.
He said it was probable that Azlan would only pick four or five exco members this time around, compared to eight in the previous term.
“Perlis is now an ‘opposition state’, so we need to take measures to save as much as possible.”
The source said others who were seen as having the potential to be exco members were Kayang assemblyman Hamizan Hassan and Santan assemblyman Azizan Sulaiman.
Meanwhile, State Secretary Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan said Perlis laws state that the menteri besar can appoint between four and 10 exco members.
“I understand that he is now going through the list of names before sending the list to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail. Perhaps the lineup will be settled by next week,” he said after handing out donations to various people in conjunction with Ramada, at Dewan 2020, here.
Azlan, who was present at the same function, declined comment except to say that the process would be completed soon.
