ARAU, Jan 8 — Four Bersatu assemblymen were sworn in as members of the Perlis State Executive Council at Istana Arau here today.
Izizam Ibrahim of Titi Tinggi, Datin Marzita Mansor of Sena, Megat Hashirat Hassan of Pauh, and Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak of Tambun Tulang took their oaths before Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail in a ceremony that began at 11.20am.
Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Second Heir to the Perlis throne Syed Sirajuddin Areeb Putra Al-Haj Jamalullail were in attendance.
Also present were Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, State Speaker Rus’sele Eizan, State Secretary Datuk Rahimi Ismail and five PAS assemblymen, including former Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, along with an assemblyman from Pakatan Harapan.
On December 28, Abu Bakar, who is also Kuala Perlis assemblyman, was sworn in as menteri besar after Shukri resigned due to health reasons.
The Perlis State Secretary’s Office in a Facebook post congratulated the newly appointed excos, with Rahimi and the state administration expressing their well wishes.
The post detailed portfolios held by Abu Bakar, which include administration and finance, investment and economy, land and natural resources, tourism and culture, infrastructure and rural development, as well as security and border relations.
Izizam will be in charge of religious affairs, housing and local government, consumer affairs, human resources and human capital, while Marzita heads the committee on women, family and community development, education, unity, welfare and poverty.
Megat Hashirat will chair the committee on agriculture, health, entrepreneurship, cooperatives and environment, while Wan Zikri heads the committee on youth and sports, communications and digital, transport, and science, technology and innovation.
At a press conference on December 30, Abu Bakar said the appointment of the new excos can proceed with a minimum of four members following PAS’ decision not to join the state administration under his leadership.
He said the minimum requirement for forming the State Executive Council is four members, or one-third of the total number of state assemblymen.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Abu Bakar expressed hope that the four new excos would work closely with him to strengthen the state administration.
He said he is confident they are ready to serve under any circumstances and deliver their best to the people.
“This is a challenge we must continue to face, to demonstrate that Perlis can stand on a par with other states. With the involvement of these four excos, God willing, their assigned portfolios can be translated into effective action,” he said.
Abu Bakar also expressed confidence that the four excos are capable of shouldering their responsibilities, noting that several of the portfolios align with their respective experience and duties.
