(From left) Chow, Mohd Zarif and Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari at the MRT Corp Aidilfitri open house in Komtar, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
PENANG is confident that new Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib will lead the state effectively, given his experience in Perak.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Ramli was an experienced leader and administrator who had served the country for many decades.
“We believe he will be able to contribute to the state’s continued development,” he said.
Born on March 16, 1941, in Pasir Salak, Perak, Ramli demonstrated his leadership credentials as the eighth Perak mentri besar, a position he held for 17 years from 1982 to 1999, making him the longest-serving chief executive of the state.
His political journey began in 1978 when he was elected Kampung Gajah assemblyman and then appointed a state executive councillor.
After his tenure in the state administration, Ramli went on to the federal level when he was elected as Pasir Salak MP in 2004, Bernama reported.
In his first term in Parliament, he was entrusted to chair the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a key parliamentary oversight body, before being appointed Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, a post he held until 2008.
Ramli’s leadership within Umno was equally significant, having chaired the Perak Umno liaison committee for 16 years (1984 to 2000) and being member of the party supreme council from 1980 to 2006.
Chow said with the appointment officially completed in accordance with Article One of the State Constitution, the state secretary’s office (SUK) will now handle several matters, including the swearing-in ceremony which will take place on May 1 at Dewan Sri Pinang.
“Invitations will be issued by the SUK office, and other events will be announced in due course to welcome the new head of state,” he said.
On April 24, the former Dewan Rakyat Speaker was appointed the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri of Penang, effective May 1.
He received the instrument of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during a presentation ceremony at Istana Negara.
At the ceremony, Ramli, 84, was also conferred the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN) award which carries the title Tun.
Ramli’s appointment was made in accordance with Article 1 of the Penang Constitution for a term of four years, until April 30, 2029.
The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chow.
An appreciation ceremony was held on April 28 at The Light to honour Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak for his service as the Yang di-Pertua Negri for one term.
Earlier, Chow attended the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corp Sdn Bhd’s Hari Raya open house at The Top in Komtar.
MRT Corp Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim hosted over 400 guests at the event where they were treated to ketupat, rendang, nasi tomato, satay, cendol and others.
“Those who attended were stakeholders, VIP guests, private and public sectors and the contractors,” he said.
