TEN members of the new Penang executive council (exco) line-up have taken their oath of office and oath of secrecy at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
They were sworn in before Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak. Also present was his consort Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who had taken the oath of office and oath of secrecy earlier on Aug 13, will lead the portfolio of Finance, Economic Development, Land and Communications.
The swearing-in ceremony today was led by Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid who will head the Islamic Development, Education and National Unity portfolio. Dr Mohamad is the Batu Maung assemblyman.
Dr Mohamad was a former rector of Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang (Kitab). He served as a rector of the college from 2020 to 2023.
Prior to that, Dr Mohamad was the deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS) from 2017 to 2019.
Dr Mohamad, who is married with five children, obtained his doctorate in Islamic Finance and Banking from Universiti Putra Malaysia before completing his postdoctoral in Islamic Finance at Markfield Institute of Higher Learning (MIHE) Islamic Foundation, United Kingdom.
Three-term assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister II and will head the Human Capital Development, Science and Technology portfolio.
Perai assemblyman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, 61, is no stranger to the real estate industry.
Sundarajoo was formerly the deputy president and deputy chief executive officer of EcoWorld Malaysia. Prior to that, he was the divisional general manager of SP Setia Group’s Property Division (North). Sundarajoo had been actively involved in Malaysia’s property industry for over 31 years.
He came from humble beginnings. Sundarajoo once said that he had to work two jobs to support the family and pay for his education fees.
“I had to work as a security guard in the morning, and taxi driver at night,” Sundarajoo was quoted.
Sundarajoo will head the Housing and Environment portfolio.
Also appointed were 31-year-old Fahmi Zainol who will lead the Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development portfolio.
Fahmi, who graduated from Universiti Malaya with Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and Social Justice, was a former Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor. He was also a Board member of the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC). Fahmi won the Pantai Jerejak state seat in the recent state election.
Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol will lead the Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Rural Development portfolio.
Later at a press conference, Chow said the exco members were considered based on their terms of service, experience and knowledge.
In addition, Chow said he also took into consideration the recommendation from the political parties.
“We are considering Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz to be appointed as the Deputy Speaker of the Penang Legislative Assembly,” he said.
Chow said the swearing-in ceremony of the state assemblymen would be held by the end of this month; while the State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be held in October.
Below is the line-up of the new state executive council members and their respective portfolios:
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (Finance, Economic Development, Land and Communications)
Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid (Islamic Development, Education and National Unity)
Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo (Human Capital Development, Science and Technology)
Rashidi Zinol (Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Rural Development)
Zairil Khir Johari (Infrastructure, Transport and Digital)
Wong Hon Wai (Tourism and Creative Economy)
Lim Siew Khim (Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs)
Jason H’ng Mooi Lye (Local Government, Town and Country Planning)
Daniel Gooi Zi Sen (Youth, Sports and Health)
Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu (Housing and Environment)
Fahmi Zainol (Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development)
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Siew Chia En