GEORGE TOWN (Aug 16): Members of the Penang state executive council (exco) took their oath of office on Wednesday (Aug 16) in a ceremony held before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

The swearing-in ceremony, which started at about 10am, was held at Dewan Sri Pinang.

The line-up of the state exco included eight new faces. They are Batu Maung assemblyman Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Abdul Hamid, Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol, Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Jawi assemblyman H'ng Mooi Lye, Padang Lalang assemblyman Gooi Zi Sen, Perai assemblyman Datuk Seri S Sundarajoo, and Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol.

The other two, Datok Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Tanjong Bungah Assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari, are reappointed as state exco.

The line-up also saw Rashidi as the sole Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate and Lim as the sole women representative in the state exco.

In the state elections on Saturday, the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition won 29 seats, while Perikatan Nasional won 11 seats.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a media conference that he will hold the portfolios of finance, economic development, and land and communications.

Deputy Chief Minister I Mohamad is responsible for the portfolio of Islamic religious development, education, higher education and community unity, while Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep holds the portfolio of human capital development, science and technology.

Rashidi is the State Trade and Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Committee chairman, Zairil is the State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Development Committee chairman, and Wong is the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman.

Lim is given the portfolio of social development, welfare and non-Islamic affairs, followed by H'ng (local government and town and country planning), Gooi (youth, sports and health), Sundarajoo (housing and environment), and Fahmi (agrotechnology and food security and cooperative development).

"Their appointments have received the blessing of their respective party central leadership, while for the post of the deputy State Legislative Assembly speaker, we propose that it be allocated to a representative from Amanah,” said Chow.