Nik Aziz to give up MB post

Kelantan will have a new Menteri Besar for the first time in 22 years as Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat is expected to relinquish the post.

Datuk Ahmad Yakcop is expected to be replace Nik, 82, who despite his ailing health had led Pas to victory in Kelantan for the sixth time in the 13th General Election.

Ahmad is expected to be sworn in before the Kelantan Sultan at 4.30pm today.

The ceremony is expected to take place at Istana Kubang Kerian where the state Ruler will also swear-in a new Deputy Mentri Besar and a new state executive councillors line-up.

The new Deputy Menteri Besar is expected to be state PAS deputy commissioner II Datuk Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah. This decision would sideline Husam Musa, who was once touted as the MB designate and Nik Aziz's favourite as his replacement.

PAS obtained 32 out of the 45 state seats in Kelantan.

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is expected to be sworn in again as the Penang chief minister for another term.

The state exco, however, would only be formed in a few more days as Lim said he needed more time to decide on the potential state leaders suitable for each portfolio.

Lim yesterday led Pakatan Rakyat to victory by winning 30 state seats as well as 10 Parliamentary seats in the state.

Meanwhile, Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had an audience with the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah at Istana Kinta.

Zambry is expected to take his oath of office as Perak menteri besar at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar tomorrow.

In the 13th general election, Perak BN won with a simple majority, garnering 31 of the 59 state seats while the opposition pact won 28.