With the new Perak executive council (exco) line-up to be known tomorrow, Malaysiakini has learnt that an Indian representative would be made the speaker of the now BN-controlled state assembly.

According to MIC sources, the person identified for the post is a young Ipoh-based lawyer.

It must be noted that there are no Indian elected representatives in the BN camp in Perak. All four MIC candidates lost in the last general election.

That would mean that there would not be an Indian exco member under the BN administration in Perak.

MIC president S Samy Vellu has approached Perak BN chief Najib Abdul Razak with three potential names for the post of speaker.

"MIC has informed Najib that it was important to give a top post in the state for an Indian representative in order to gain the support of the Indian community," said party leaders.

Under the recently ousted Pakatan Rakyat government, there were five Indian state representatives, of which one was the speaker of the assembly while another was made an exco member.

Fight for special officer's post

two perak mb in thaipusam event 080209 09 Yesterday the new Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir assured the Indian community that their welfare and interests will be taken care of although there were no BN Indian representatives in the state assembly.

It is believed Zambry will try to overcome the absence of elected Indian state assemblypersons for the exco by appointing an Indian leader as a special officer in charge of the community's affairs.

That appointee will be placed under the MB's direct supervision so that funds and programs can be disbursed and implemented without a hitch.

The identity of this special officer is not known yet but it is believed that both MIC and Perak-based PPP are vying for their nominee to be appointed to this powerful post.

At the same time, community leaders have also expressed hope that such a post is filled by a non-political person.

Line-up to be known tomorrow

Meanwhile Zambry was reported by Bernama today as saying that his exco line-up will be announced tomorrow. The exco members are to be sworn at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.

He said that he had met Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over the new line-up.

The new MB however remained tight-lipped when asked on the identities of his new exco members.

He was only willing to state that the exco would comprise old and new faces.

"We want to create a balance, while the factors considered include their capabilities as the people wish to see some change...and definitely there will be a woman," he said.

Of the 28 seats which BN has in the state, 27 are held by Umno representatives and one by the MCA, giving an indication that the bulk of the exco members are going to be from Umno while at the same time guaranteeing a post for the MCA man.

Since the BN government is formed with the support of three independents - two from PKR and one from DAP, it is almost certain that they too would be in the exco lineup.

Pakatan Rakyat also has 28 seats in the assembly with DAP holding the bulk of the seats (17), PAS (6) and PKR (5).