The Negri Sembilan government will appoint an Indian community leader with executive councillor (exco) status to ensure the community has representation in the state administration.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the decision was made after the newly appointed 10-member state executive council did not include an Indian representative.
He said the appointed leader would serve under the Menteri Besar’s Office and would be given exco status to provide a platform for the Indian community to participate in state-level decision-making.
“Since there is no representative from the Indian community in the state executive council sworn in today, I wish to announce that I will appoint an Indian community leader under the Menteri Besar’s Office.
“The position will carry exco status to ensure all communities have a role in the state administration,” he said after the swearing-in ceremony of the state executive council at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.
Ismail also revealed that the state government is considering appointing an Orang Asli representative as a special officer under the Menteri Besar’s Office as part of efforts to strengthen inclusivity in the administration.
Meanwhile, he confirmed that the state executive council composition would remain at 10 members, consisting of eight representatives from Barisan Nasional (BN) and two from Perikatan Nasional (PN), similar to the previous administration.
He said the matter had been discussed with his party president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and there was currently no need to appoint a deputy exco.
The Menteri Besar added that decisions regarding the appointment of the State Legislative Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker would be made when the state assembly convenes.
