GEORGE TOWN, March 16 — Former Air Force pilot Zaidi Ahmad is Pakatan Harapan-ruled Penang’s new information officer.
The 48-year-old took his oath of office before Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.
“Major Zaidi is passionate about helping the poor so he will be helping with the state’s AES programme,” Lim told a news conference in his office here after the ceremony.
He added that Zaidi is known to be a principled man and will prove a good choice to do the work necessary for the state’s poverty eradication programme, known by its Malay name as Agenda Ekonomi Saksama.
Under the AES programme, the state government tops up the income of poor families each month up to RM790 to ensure they have enough to survive.
“This programme needs continual follow-up so he will be able to help the people benefiting from this programme,” Lim said.
Asked if Zaidi would be required to join the DAP, Lim replied that the ex-military man was hired to work for the state and not the party.
He also said the former fighter pilot can inspire children from poor families to work hard to achieve their dreams.
Zaidi was sacked from the Air Force last year after he highlighted the inefficacy of the indelible ink during the 2013 general elections. The ink washed out on the fingers of some people after they applied water to their hands.
