IPOH, May 16 — Perak finally got its state government on Saturday following a stand-off, but now the thoughts of those in the state are turning towards the new exco line-up.

Speculation is rife that DAP, who swept all 18 of their contested state seats in the election, will be allocated the largest number of posts in the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) line-up.

Political observers believed DAP will receive either four or five exco posts compared to Parti Amanah Negara and PKR, which could get between three or two seats after their solid performance in the polls.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) is already represented by Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, and it is likely that former Umno assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin who just joined will be given the sole seat for the party.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman political science lecturer Teh Boon Teck said the selection of the line-up would be important for Faizal, as a fair selection could endear him to the people of Perak.

“DAP won the most seats, and I believe they will get the most exco positions,” Teh told Malay Mail.

“As long as the mentri besar selects the exco members according to the ratio of seats won, he will maintain the support of the people.”

In addition to the 10 exco spots, the posts of state legislative assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker are also up for grabs.

In the previous Barisan Nasional administration led by Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, excos were given between three and six portfolios each.

The challenge for the four-party coalition will be deciding on the list from an abundance of candidates.  

The parties know it will be impossible to make everyone happy — and those left in the cold could present problems.

DAP will have the toughest decision to make after winning 18 seats. They have an abundance of talented assemblymen and may find it difficult to pick only a handful.

Pasir Pinji’s Howard Lee Chuan How is speculated to be one of the favourites as he is Perak DAP Socialist Youth chief, a former International Union of Socialist Youth chief, and a second-term assemblyman at the tender age of 35.

Buntong’s A. Sivasubramaniam, Sungkai’s A. Sivanesan, and constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari could also be in with a chance, according to sources close to the coalition.

“Lee is experienced at high-level diplomacy, and is an accomplished orator. Crucially, his fluency in English, Malay, and gives him wide popularity among the public,” the source told Malay Mail.

“Sivasubramaniam is a very popular third term assemblyman, while Aziz Bari surprised everyone by winning a 58 per cent Malay majority seat where DAP was expected to lose.”

Aziz and Sivanesan are also names who could be linked to the Speaker position given their extensive legal background. Aziz was previously tipped to be the mentri besar himself.

Another potential DAP exco candidate could be Pantai Remis’ Wong May Ing who is the only two-term female assemblyman in Perak PH.

Amanah, who won six seats, expects to see their chairman Asmuni Awi (Manjoi) and deputy chairman Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin (Sungai Rapat) get exco positions.

Both men were also speculated to be in the running for the MB post, due to their political seniority and standing in the state.

Nizar spent 11 months as mentri besar between 2008 and 2009, and subsequently became de facto state assembly opposition leader — giving him crucial experience and expertise for a senior portfolio.

Another candidate with an outside chance could be PH and Amanah youth chief Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim (Titi Serong).

While 38, Hasnul is fresh-faced, likeable, and could be ideal for portfolios related to youth and sports.

In PKR, the two standout candidates are two-term assemblyman Tan Kar Hing (Simpang Pulai) and three-term assemblyman Abdul Yunus Jamhari (Kuala Kurau).

The other two winners, Sandrea Ng and Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad are first-term assemblymen, and could be given more time.

Meanwhile, former BN exco Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin is also expected to get an exco spot after applying to join PPBM.

Mentri Besar Faizal indicated that it was ‘likely’ that Zainol would be considered for the list in a press conference on Monday.