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KUALA PILAH - Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the line-up of State Executive Council (Exco) members will be discussed with the UMNO President before being presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan in the near future.
He said the matter was conveyed to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan during an audience following the swearing-in ceremony for the Menteri Besar on Sunday, August 2.
"I informed Tuanku that I would consult with the UMNO President first to consider his views and any suitable proposals.
"We will try to resolve this by Friday at the latest... God willing. As for Tuanku, His Royal Highness would prefer it to be settled as soon as possible," he told a press conference following his swearing-in as Menteri Besar on Sunday.
Commenting on the inclusion of Perikatan Nasional (PN) representatives in the Exco lineup, Ismail said as the state government was established jointly, all coalition partners, including BN component parties, would be given due consideration.
"We formed this government together, and we will certainly take into account state assemblymen representing PN as well as those representing Barisan Nasional (BN).
"BN comprises not only UMNO, but also component parties MCA and MIC. All of these will be given attention in the formation of the State Executive Council," he said.
When asked whether the number of Exco portfolios would be reduced or if any would be dropped, as well as the appointment of a Senior Exco member, Ismail said these matters had yet to be determined, though he noted that a 10-member Exco panel appeared to be the most suitable size.
