SHAH ALAM, Sept 29 ― Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali confirmed today he will only reveal the portfolios of his 10-man executive council in two days, but said some committees will be merged to optimise efficiency.

"I will announce on Wednesday, if I announce now there will be nothing left to announce," he told reporters here.

He added that the previous combination of tasks will be revised to make the best use of the skills and talents of the executive council (exco) members.

Azmin also said that the position of the Selangor legislative assembly deputy speaker was a low-priority for now and can be decided when the state assembly sitting convenes in November.

Azmin's remarks confirm Malay Mail Online's earlier report today that the exco portfolios would be revealed this Wednesday.

Malay Mail Online understands that Azmin has already decided on the portfolios to be held by his three DAP excos, but has yet to settle on those for PKR and particularly PAS.

Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, is under pressure to offer PAS excos more “important” portfolios as it would signal an acknowledgement of the Islamist party's share of 15 seats in the Selangor state assembly. DAP also has 15 while PKR is down to 13 after sacking Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

But some PKR and DAP leaders are demanding that PAS be punished for backing Azmin’s predecessor, Khalid who had refused to step down as mentri besar when directed by his party, prompting his eventual expulsion from PKR.

Khalid had been criticised as “stingy” by his critics in his administration of Malaysia’s richest state.

Last Friday, Malay Mail Online reported that Azmin may appoint another deputy speaker in the Selangor legislative assembly to end the prolonged state leadership crisis and to placate parties that supported his appointment as state mentri besar.

He has offered the Islamist party the post of deputy speaker in the state legislative assembly, following the resignation of his PKR colleague, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

But Malay Mail Online understands that another deputy speaker post may be created for either DAP or PKR, and that the matter was discussed and verbally agreed upon last week.

Azmin previously said that the matter must to be decided collectively by PR.

Speculation is rife that the new position will go to DAP, as PKR now has four exco members in Azmin's administration. Both DAP and PAS now have three such officials.

DAP's Subang Jaya state lawmaker Hannah Yeoh is Selangor speaker.

The appointment, if it takes place could further cement DAP's influence in the Selangor government.

Azmin, 50, was sworn in last Tuesday as Selangor’s 15th mentri besar.