GEORGE TOWN: The 10 state executive council members who were sworn in at Dewan Sri Pinang here today, have received blessings from the national leadership.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the choice of the 10 exco members were approved by the respective parties here and at the national level.
"All agreements have been reached," he told newsmen after the swearing in ceremony this morning before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Fuzi Abdul Razak.
This morning, 10 exco members, including seven new faces, took their oath of office.
Of the 10, seven were from DAP, two from PKR and one from Barisan Nasional. In the previous exco line-up, DAP had eight representatives, including Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, while PKR had three.
This is Barisan Nasional's first return to the state government after being in the opposition block for the past 15 years when newly-elected Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol was named as the sole exco member from BN.
Newly-elected Batu Maung assemblyman Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid of PKR was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister I while fourth-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo of DAP was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister II.
Mohamad Abdul's appointment confirmed a New Straits Times report before this on the matter.
Jagdeep's appointment put to rest speculation on who would hold the position after it was earlier speculated that newly-elected Prai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo or Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan was tipped to hold the post.
Rashidi's appointment also put to rest speculation that first-term Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican would be part of the exco member in the unity government in Penang.
Elaborating on the reason behind the selection of exco members, Chow said, for PKR, it was very clear where the two Malay candidates represented the Malays.
He said, for DAP, priority was given to those in their second term or third term, except for newly-elected Prai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, due to his past experience.
"We want to make sure that every race is represented.
"For BN, since they only won two state seats, we only choose the one name given by the party leadership.
"In the case of Amanah, there is a proposal to name their sole Bayan Lepas assemblyman as an exco member.
"But whatever decisions made are by the Pakatan Harapan leadership," adding that the deputy state legislative assembly speaker post would be reserved for Amanah.
On PKR's reduction to two exco seats compared with three previously, Chow said every party had its own challenges.
"There are parties which want additional seats while others not willing to give up.
"This is not only in Penang. Sometimes, we give and take in the respective states.
"Again, this is all the top leadership's decision," he added.
Asked on how the new exco members would handle the 11 opposition members in the state legislative assembly, Chow said when Pakatan Rakyat came into power back in 2008, none of them had any experience to handle the 10 Umno opposition members.
"Although many are new faces, they have the necessary experience," he said.
Chow was also asked if Sundarajoo's housing portfolio would have any conflict of interest, with his background as a developer in the past.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no conflict of interest as he has no interest in whatever company now.
"According to the law, any exco member is not allowed to hold any interest in any company. This is very clear. I believe everyone will adhere to this.
"Also, with years of experience as a developer, he (Sundarajoo) understands the housing issues faces by developers and will be of help in the housing portfolio," he said.
The new exco line-up saw many new faces since most previous exco members were dropped from being fielded as candidates in the just-concluded state election.
DAP dropped Dr P. Ramasamy, Chong Eng, Phee Boon Poh, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee, while PKR dropped Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Dr Norlela Ariffin.
Both Ahmad Zakiyuddin and Ramasamy were Chow's former deputies.
On Sunday, Chow, who is also Penang DAP chairman, was sworn in as the state's fifth Chief Minister for the second term at the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's residence, Seri Mutiara.