New Kedah exco members to be sworn in tomorrow

The swearing in of new state executive council (exco) members under the administration of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah is scheduled to take place tomorrow. The appointment of the new exco is in accordance with Article 37(2)(b) of the Kedah Constitution following the appointment of Ahmad Bashah as the new menteri besar on February 4, replacing Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. The swearing-in ceremony and conferment of the new appointments will be held in front of Kedah Regency Council chairman Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the audience hall in Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Star at 9 am. Mukhriz resigned as menteri besar on February 3, after losing the support of the majority in the state assembly, following a January 20 press conference in which a majority of Kedah Umno assemblymen and members of parliament voiced their loss of confidence in his leadership. According to sources, Ahmad Bashah will not be making too many changes to the Kedah exco line-up, apart from some portfolio switches. Under Mukhriz's leadership, there were nine exco members, namely, Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail as Industry and Investment, Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Committee chairman; Datuk Suraya Yaacob (Women Development, Social Welfare, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman); Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain (Education, Transport and Works Committee chairman); Datuk Badrul Hisham Hashim (Local Government, Water Supply, Water and Energy Resources, Housing and Human Development Committee chairman); Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid (Religious, Indian and Siamese Community Affairs, Human Resources, Tourism Committee chairman); Datuk Mohd Tajudin Abdullah (Information, Rural Development Committee chairman); Datuk Aminuddin Omar (Youth and Sports, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Non-Governmental Bodies Committee chairman); Datuk Noor Sabrina Mohd Noor (Science, Innovation and Information Technology, Communications and Advanced Technology Committee chairman); and Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong (Environment, Chinese Community Affairs, Health and Solidarity Committee chairman). – Bernama, February 21, 2016.]]>