IPOH: The new Perak state executive council (exco) line-up will not have any ethnic Chinese or Indian representation for now, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad said.
Saarani explained this was because the state Perikatan Nasional (PN) government does not have any assemblymen from these two communities.
"As an exco (Chinese and Indian communities)…no. They are not involved in the formation of the state government. But as for now, the Indian and Chinese representatives are already in all local councils in every district in the state.
"We have representatives (Chinese and Indian) in local councils and they are still functioning. We do not have any intentions to change anything," he told reporters after chairing a state exco meeting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.
Asked whether he would appoint any ethnic Chinese or Indian from PN component parties to be his special officer or adviser, Saarani said he would do so if there is a need.
"If there is a need (he will appoint), but I can't promise anything until I do some research, if there is a need to do so," he said.
During a week of Perak political impasse, the Buntong assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam from Gerakan and Tronoh assemblyman, Paul Yong Choo Kiong, an Independent had declared their support for Saarani.
The duo had signed statutory declarations supporting the Kota Tampan assemblyman and submitted to the Perak Palace last week during the menteri besar crisis. However, they are not part of the PN coalition.
As to date, the state government has five exco members. They are Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu); and four Umno members; Lintang assemblyman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun; Rungkup assemblyman Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya; Kampung Gajah assemblyman Datuk Dr Wan Noorashikin Wan Noordin; and Bota assemblyman Khairul Shahril Mohamed.
Saarani said another five exco members would be appointed and sworn in after the tabling of the Perak Budget 2021, scheduled to be held this Wednesday.
"During the exco meeting today, we had finalised the state budget and will table it in the state legislative assembly this Wednesday.
"The exco meeting today passed the budget and there was no change. We will inform the State Speaker and it will be tabled on Wednesday at the state assembly," he said.
