Sunday March 30, 2008
Terengganu MB to choose exco fairly
By R.S.N. MURALI
KUALA TERENGGANU: Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, who will be sworn in today, will choose his new state exco line-up based on the expertise of the candidates.
A close aide to Ahmad said the mentri besar would not let “emotions get in the way” in his selection of the 10-member exco. He gave an assurance that Ahmad, who was chosen by the palace for the post, would not be vindictive and penalise those who had opposed him. It is learnt that several exco members, who had served under former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, will likely be retained. Those tipped to be retained include Ajil assemblyman Datuk Rosol Wahid, Cukai assemblyman Datuk Mohamed Awang Tera and Bandar assemblyman Toh Chin Yaw, who is the MCA's sole representative.
The aide said an earlier plan to appoint a deputy Mentri Besar was scrapped due to “technicalities.” “The leadership was not in support of the idea and we do not want to set a precedent,” he added. On whether Idris would be given an exco portfolio, the aide said this was unlikely. “Even if we offered him (Idris), there is strong possibility that he would reject it as he had served as Mentri Besar,” he added.
Ahmad had earlier said he would consult Idris on the exco line-up. On the distribution of exco positions, the aide believed it would be distributed evenly so that constituents in each of the seven districts would be represented adequately at the state government.
