GEORGE TOWN (March 3): Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik from Parti Keadilan Rakyat is tipped to be appointed the new Penang state executive councillor for agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development.

The appointment is expected to be finalised during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday (March 4), according to sources. Goh, who is also the Penang PKR deputy chairman and a member of the party's Central Leadership Council, is set to take over the portfolio from Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol, a fellow PKR member.

Fahmi was recently suspended from all party posts after being charged with voluntarily causing hurt to his wife. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. On Sunday, PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh was reported as saying that she would be sending a letter to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow regarding Fahmi's exco position.

In a separate development involving another PKR leader, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid has completed his second day of questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday.

Mohamad was seen leaving the MACC headquarters at 3.50pm on Tuesday after returning for a second day of questioning. In total, he has spent nearly 14 hours giving his statement over the two separate sessions. The investigation involves the alleged abuse of power related to RM10 million in zakat land purchases and the misuse of RM184,000 in zakat assistance funds.

Unlike Fahmi, no party action has been taken against Mohamad so far, who remains in his official positions. Mohamad is the Penang PKR state chairman and a member of the PKR Central Leadership Council, as well as the party's 'inner sanctum' Political Bureau.

Mohamad has maintained that the allegations against him are politically motivated, and has pledged full cooperation with the authorities.