Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had directed all state executive council (exco) members to submit a strategy plan on managing their respective portfolios to ensure smooth implementation of duties and to obtain desired results.

Kijang state assemblyman Husam Musa told malaysiakini that all exco members are expected to prepare their respective action plan soon after their portfolios are announced tomorrow.

"Each exco member will be submitting a strategy plan for the next six months together with a long-term plan of action. We are committed and determined to form a new and positive era for the people in Kelantan," said Husam when contacted.

"Although we have done relatively well over the past 14 years, we realise that it may be not be enough for people who need change... so we have to try out new approaches to strengthen what we have while exploring new ideas."

Party sources close to the top leadership revealed that all exco members were informed of their portfolios yesterday. They said changes have been made to reflect the party's focus on three core issues: economics, land development and education.

Breakdown of committees

Two large portfolios - land, forestry and natural resources, and economic development, finance and land development - have been split into three.

The new committees are in charge of forestry and natural resources; land development; and economics, finance and community development, to be helmed by Nik Aziz, Deputy Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakub and Husam respectively.

Religious scholar Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, who has been tipped to take over PAS state leadership, will be in charge of education.

The youth and sports committee will be led by newcomer Abdul Fatah Mahmood, while women's affairs will be moved into the same portfolio as Islamic development, propagation and information. This will be headed by religious scholar Hasan Mohamood.

Surgeon Dr Nik Mazian Nik Mohamed will head the agriculture and rural development committee, while politician Anuar Tan will continue to head the social unity, tourism, culture and non-governmental organisation committee.

Lawyer Takiyuddin Hasan, accounts graduate Zulkefli Mamat and retired army officer Mohamad Anizam Abdul Rahman will respectively take charge of the committees for housing and local government; trade and industry; and infrastructure and work.

Nik Aziz's political secretary Anwal Bakri Bahron said the land development committee was created because the state government has realised that it has failed to tackle land-related problems in the past.

"We regret that we did not handle the issue effectively, and Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) has already issued a public apology for this. Now that we have a specific portfolio to handle the matter, we hope that things will improve," he said.

He also expressed the hope that the public would not judge the state administration harshly for placing women's affairs alongside Islamic development, propagation and information.

"Just because we don't have a special portfolio for women's issues does not mean we do not care about them. We put all the issues together because all three are connected. As we propagate the real teachings of Islam, the people will be more aware of women's rights," he said.

Improving revenue

Husam who won the Kijang state seat in the recent general election, confirmed that his portfolio will involve increasing the state's revenue without burdening the people.

"I believe the key to a successful economy is a good and effective management of the state's natural resources and subsidiaries. I also intend to improve the local government revenue, not by increasing the rates but by improving the services," he said.

He said he has plans to establish a fund to finance small industries. This will assist qualified locals in order to create job opportunities.

"I've met a group of Kelantanese professionals who shared ideas on how to make these plans successful. They are ready to help the state government," he said.

Nik Mohd Amar, who is also Panchor state assemblyperson, said he would work to ensure that the quality of education - covering both the religious and secular curriculum - is on par with that provided by the federal government.

"The state is committed to providing quality education to students as part of our aspiration for the people to develop in line with Islam. This means that we have to tighten the administration of Yayasan Islam Kelantan which implements the state education policy," he said.

One of his main tasks will be to ensure that the state's latest education programme, Sekolah Ma'had Sains Tahfiz, runs smoothly.

"Work to build the school complex on a 28-hectare site in Kok Lanas has started and is scheduled to be completed in 2006. We have identified the first intake of 100 secondary students who will study science subjects and a special module on memorising the Quran," he said.

Complementary move

Meanwhile, a PAS insider said the party's aim in restructuring the exco portfolios is to complement changes made to its state committee, known as Dewan Harian

.

(The Dewan Harian is now led by Nik Aziz, who serves as commissioner, while Ahmad has been made the new deputy commissioner taking over from Purapok state assemblyperson Omar Mohamad.

Pengkalan Chepa MP Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman remains deputy commissioner II while Husam takes over from Pasir Mas MP Ismail Non as deputy commissioner III. The information chief's post is held by Nik Mohd Amar, who took over from Takiyuddin.)

"The individual who was allegedly opposed to changes in the party is no longer a threat. So things look bright and we hope that all these changes have not been made in vain," the source said.

"We want to ensure that the party continues to rule the state for several more terms. After the scare that Barisan Nasional (BN) caused in the last election, the party cannot afford to slip up any more."

He is among those who will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of BN election petitions involving the state seats of Gaal , Pengkalan Pasir dan Kota Lama , which are expected to be filed soon.

PAS formed the state government after winning 24 of the 54 state seats contested in the 11 th general election on March 21. BN won 21 state seats, needing only two more to form a government through a simple majority of 23 seats.

However, Husam said Umno should be more "gentlemanly" and accept the people's decision to elect PAS to lead the state.

"I hope the opposition led by Mustaha Mohamed accepts the decision. Instead of going into war against us, they should allow us to carry out our agenda to provide a better future for the people," he said.

"Your (Umno's) political agenda to win the state should be limited to election day which has passed. Don't create too much trouble for the people or it may backfire. The people will hate you for putting your political interest above the public interest."