THE third-term Pakatan Harapan Penang government has sworn in its new line-up of excos this morning, with five new faces and minor reshuffles of portfolios.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the Padang Kota assemblyman from DAP, is handling land affairs and development, information, and transport.

The new deputy chief minister I from PKR, Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, the Pinang Tunggal assemblyman and an engineer by training, is overseeing Islamic affairs, industrial development, and community relations.

Prai assemblyman Dr P. Ramasamy of DAP, who returns as deputy chief minister II for the third term, is retaining his old portfolio – economic planning, education, human capital development, science, technology, and innovation.

One of the four other new faces in the line-up, Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari from DAP, the former Bukit Bendera MP, will handle public works, utilities, and flood mitigation.

Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Halim Hussain of PKR, who was state legislative assembly speaker from 2008 to 2013, will head the state domestic and international trade, consumer affairs, and entrepreneurial development committee.

Three-term Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin of DAP, another new exco, is taking on tourism and heritage development, culture, and arts. His party colleague, Soon Lip Chee of Bagan Jermal, is handling youth and sports.

Another four excos return to their old portfolios, with some taking on new responsibilities.

Some of the most crucial portfolios – local government, housing, and town and country planning – will be handled by three-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo of DAP. Local government was handled by Chow in the previous two terms.

DAP’s Chong Eng of Padang Lalang is retaining the women and family development portfolio for her second term. She will also handle non-Muslim affairs, previously handled by former chief minister Lim Guan Eng, and the newly included gender inclusivity committee.

The welfare, caring community, and environment portfolio remains with DAP veteran Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh, who is serving his third term as exco.

PKR’s Dr Afif Bahardin of Seberang Jaya is remaining as exco of health, agriculture and agro-based industries, and rural development for a second term.

All the 10 excos, excluding Chow, were sworn in by 11am before state governor Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas at Dewan Sri Pinang.

PH retained the Penang government in the May 9 polls, winning 37 state seats out of the total 40. Barisan Nasional only won two seats, and PAS one.

DAP won the bulk with 19 seats, while PKR won 14.

New PH partners Bersatu and Amanah won two state seats each. The two new parties have no representatives appointed as excos. – May 16, 2018.