GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has defended the decision not to appoint any state assemblymen from Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to the state executive councillor line-up.
Stressing that it was important to maintain the status quo for the next five years, Chow said the state excos sworn in earlier today were the strongest line-up by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Penang government.
He said the current line-up would enable the state government to fulfil all the election pledges.
“Some parties get what they want and some get less...it is part of the arrangement which may differ from one state to another.
“There are states where DAP has won the majority number of seats but did not get the Chief Minister or Menteri Besar post. This is within the spirit of Pakatan Harapan, so that the pact can move forward after the government has been formed,” he told a press conference here this afternoon.
Ten state executive councillors took their oath of office before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Dewan Sri Pinang here this morning.
Chow was present to witness the swearing in.
Of the 10, five were new faces - Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is Pinang Tunggal assemblyman, Tanjong Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari; Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Halim Hussain; Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin; and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Soon Lip Chee.
A minor reshuffling and changes to the portfolio of existing state executive councillors was also announced.
In the 14th General Election (GE14), 19 DAP candidates won the state seats followed by 14 from PKR and two each for PAN and PPBM.
A concern was raised by PAN and PPBM grassroot members that none of their elected representatives were appointed as state executive councillors despite having sent their candidates’ list.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state government would nominate former state legislative assembly speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang to continue his duty.
“As for the deputy, it will be decided during the session, which was expected to be held in early June,” said Chow.