Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah has his hands full soon after being sworn in today as the new menteri besar of Kedah.

He will be welcoming Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is making a working visit to the rice-bowl state tomorrow.

"I have a whole day with the Prime Minister tomorrow. I will be able to raise many matters with him," Ahmad Bashah told Bernama at Bangunan Tunku, Alor Star, today.

Najib is scheduled to open Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Paya Besar in Lunas and the urban transformation centre in Sungai Petani.

Ahmad Bashah said he would ensure that development in Kedah was in tandem with the development plans of the federal government.

He said Kedah was an agricultural state that had been associated with poverty and, as such, there was a need to balance agricultural and industrial development.

Ahmad Bashah, 66, was sworn in today as the 12th menteri besar of Kedah following the resignation yesterday of Mukhriz Mahathir who lost majority support in the state legislative assembly.

- Bernama