GEORGE TOWN – Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican will use his experience in administration to play an active role as a backbencher of the Penang state government.
Reezal, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, welcomed the formation of the state government executive council (exco) line-up, which featured a combination of new and old faces.
“I welcome the exco line-up, which is a combination of new and old faces, such as Datuk Keramat and Tg Bungah assemblymen Jagdeep Singh Deo and Zairil Khir Johari, in addition to those who are experts in their respective fields like Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is known in academia.
“I will continue playing an active role now that I am a backbencher. Now that the state requires strong backbenchers, I will play that role in the state assembly,” he said today.
Asked about rumours of his appointment as deputy chief minister I, that went viral on social media yesterday, Reezal described them as mere speculation.
He said he will always comply and agree with decisions taken by the highest leadership because he is loyal to the party.
“I view this speculation as wishful thinking by netizens because I am a former minister at the federal level, but we must understand it is different at the state level, and I am considered the same as everyone else. I do not take the speculation seriously,” he said.
Reezal emphasised that his priority in the state polls this time was to make amends for his defeat in Kepala Batas in the 15th general election.
In the August 12 state polls, Reezal defeated incumbent Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq of Perikatan Nasional in the Bertam constituency with a majority of 2,321 votes. – August 16, 2023