PKR has submitted a fresh list of candidates for the Kedah executive council (exco), for a decision by Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.

Party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said in a statement today that the list is part of a formal request for a exco reshuffle.

The exco is subjected by law to annual renewal in March.

"The (requested) changes to the exco aim to enhance effectiveness in delivering services to the people and (are) also in line with our pledge to continue to improve the performance of the state government," he said.

PKR fills three of the 10 exco positions currently. Its representatives are M Manikumar (Tourism and Indian Affairs portfolio), Lim Soo Nee (Thai Affairs and Investment) and Tan Wei Xu (Chinese Affairs and Transport).

Of the three, Wei Xu is strongly rumoured to be the one to be dropped. His party is said to be unhappy over his non-performance and limited grasp of languages - he is said to be most fluent in his native Hokkie n tongue.

Possible replacement?

Wei Xu is expected to be replaced by Sidam assemblyperson Tan Chow Kang, 68, a former Labour Party veteran turned Gerakan member who defected to PKR in 2001.

When contacted, Chow Kang said he heard the rumour, but was quick to add that he would wait for an official appointment, if any.

"My name was also mentioned during the last two exco reshuffles, but I was not appointed," he pointed out.

mohd radzhi salleh When Pakatan Rakyat took over the state following the March 2008 general election, PKR held five state assembly seats. This was reduced to four after Lunas assemblyperson Mohd Radzi Salleh quit the party last August.

Radzi ( right ), who was then an exco member, became a BN-friendly Independent. There have been rumours that Lim and Wei Xu may follow suit.

The PAS-led Pakatan government has a majority of seven in the 36-seat state assembly.

With Radzi on its side, BN needs four more defectors to topple the state government, as it did in Perak in February last year.