Lim breaks tradition to appoint two deputy CMs, a first for an Indian

Lim breaks tradition to appoint two deputy CMs, a first for an Indian
By Audrey Dermawan

12 March, 2008

For the first time in the history of Malaysian state governance, an Indian has been appointed as one of two Penang Deputy Chief Ministers. Prof P. Ramasamy, the political debutant who defeated former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election, was named today by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to the post. The newly sworn-in Lim also named Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 32, as the first deputy chief minister. Mohammad Fairus, also a newcomer to the general election, is a think-tank member of the strategic advisory in the national integration development bureau located at the PKR headquarters. He beat BN's Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid for the Penanti state seat.

Ramasamay, 58, was a political scientist who won the Prai state seat, defeating BN's L. Krishnan and independent R. Ulaganathan. Under the previous Gerakan-led administration, the position was helmed by an Umno representative.

This is also the first time in history a state has two deputy chief ministers. The two, along with eight other state executive councillors, will take their oath of office before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas tomorrow. Lim is still finalising the list of the eight executive councillors.

Speaking at a Press conference in his office in Komtar, Lim said the appointment of the two deputy chief ministers was to represent the multi-racial people in the state.

"This morning's appointment shows our commitment and initiative in representing all the different racial composition in the state,” he said. "We want the people in the state to feel they have a stake in the newly-formed state government."

Lim said DAP and PKR had also agreed on the allocations for the state executive councillors' posts. The State Legislative Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts' will be given to PKR.

The previous Gerakan-led state government had nine state executive councillors besides the chief minister's and deputy chief minister's posts.

"We are putting forward a highly qualified team to bring the state to greater heights,” he said. "It is our commitment to ensure that no groups are marginalised ... we will listen to what the people have to say."

Lim stressed that the new DAP-PKR joint government will be a people-friendly government.

Asked if there will be any changes to the previous portfolios, Lim said the possibility was there. However, the state government would deal with it after the swearing-in today, he said.

Asked if he was pressured from certain groups who claimed the Malays were being sidelined, he said: "The DAP-PKR is a coalition government and it has no intention to sideline anyone. I want to stress that we represent all the people of Penang. Whatever policies implemented are for the good of all and not only a particular group."

On the sole Pas representative in the State Assembly Mohd Hamdan Abd Rahman's request that the party be given a seat in the State Exco, Lim said since this was a DAP-PKR joint government, it would make the necessary arrangement for Mohd Hamdan, which will be announced later.

Mohd Hamdan defended his Permatang Pasir state seat against BN's Mohd Shahar Shuib.

In an immediate response, Ramasamy thanked the state government for having the trust in him to carry out the huge responsibility. "Since this is the people's mandate and they want democracy and justice, I will work hard to meet their expectations. This is also a good example to other states that all races should be represented towards a more effective and efficient administration.”

Mohammad Fairus pledged to give his best and ensure no groups, in particular Malays, are marginalised. "I will also ensure all enjoy a fair share in the economy pie," he added, saying that his main focus was also in education. His first degree was in political sciences from the International Islamic University.
He also holds a master degree in strategic and defence from Universiti Malaya and masters in business administration from the United Kingdom.