PH-BN discuss appointment of Penang deputy chief minister, exco line-up

GEORGE TOWN - Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) today held a meeting with regard to the appointment of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister and the line-up of executive council members to form the Penang state government.

Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the discussion at about 10 am involved state-level PH-BN leaders before the list of names was submitted to their respective party leaders at the central level for the final decision.

"I understand they (central leaders) are meeting tonight...so we are waiting for the decision," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno Liaison Body chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said they had also submitted their list and would abide by any decision made by the central leadership.

"Umno understands that we only won two state assembly seats and I’d appreciate it if any of our assemblymen are appointed to join the Penang exco line-up," he said.

The PH-BN alliance succeeded in forming the state government after winning a two-thirds majority, or 29 out of 40 state seats, with DAP winning all 19 state assembly seats contested while PKR won seven, Amanah (one) and BN (two). The opposition, Perikatan Nasional (PN) won 11 seats.

The media today received an invitation letter from the state government regarding the appointment and swearing-in of the state executive council that is scheduled to take place at Dewan Seri Pinang here, on Wednesday (Aug 16).

Yesterday (Aug 13), Chow Kon Yeow, 65, who is Penang PH chairman, was sworn in as Penang Chief Minister for a second term before the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak at Seri Mutiara here. - BERNAMA