Who will be the new faces of Melaka Exco?

MELAKA - With the appointment of the new Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh as the 13th chief minister last Friday, questions now revolve around the new line of exco.

The focus is now on the exco members who are expected to be sworn in tomorrow morning before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah departs to Melaka.

As stated previously by Umno president, who is also Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a unity government will be formed in Melaka.

It is certain that one assemblyman from Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be elected to the exco to work together and cooperate under Ab Rauf's administration.

Among the four assemblymen who are predicted to be made exco are Kota Laksamana assemblyman Low Chee Leong, who once served as exco when Adly Zahari was chief minister in 2018.

Chee Leong's experience as Melaka Health and Anti-Drugs exco was seen as capable back then compared to three other representatives who had never been appointed as exco.

The other three assemblymen were Kesidang assemblyman Seah Shoo Chin; Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee; and Bandar Hilir assemblyman Leng Chau Yen.

It is certain that with the speculation of new exco appointments under the banner of unity government, there will be more than one name that will not be reappointed as exco for this term.

For example, Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis, who previously issued a statement claiming Ab Rauf's appointment to replace Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali as an act of breaking pledges made in Umno/Barisan Nasional's (BN) manifesto in the Melaka state election 2021.

Serkam assemblyman Datuk Zaidi Attan is also believed not to be reappointed as exco after his loss at the Jasin division Umno chief election.

It was believed that several new faces who had won chief division posts in the recent Umno election will be appointed to fill the vacant exco position, including Ab Rauf's previous position as senior exco, which is believed to be filled by an individual who holds the second most important position at the Umno state level, Datuk Seri Rais Mohd Yasin who is also Tangga Batu division Umno chief.

In addition, Asahan assemblyman Mohd Fairul Nizam Roslan and Rim assemblyman Datuk Khadirah Abu Zahar were among the names mentioned as new faces in the state government's exco line-up.

Umno Youth chief cum Merlimau assemblyman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and the Supreme Council (MKT) member, who is also Telok Mas assemblyman Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman, were not exempted from being reappointed as exco.

Meanwhile, the sole MIC party representative, Gadek assemblyman P Shanmugam will surely be reappointed, and the MCA representative, who is Machap Jaya assemblyman Ngwe Hee Sem, can be considered to be in the safe zone.

Not to forget, Melaka Umno Wanita chief, who is also Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Kalsom Nordin, will remain as exco and may also hold her previous portfolio.