Seberang Prai achieves city status

KEPALA BATAS: Seberang Prai has been officially declared a city on Monday (Sept 16) in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

The historic ceremony was attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, state executive councillors, state assemblymen, members of parliament, and state government heads.

Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff arrived at the ceremony at 10am, which was followed by the singing of the national anthem and state anthem,"Untuk Negeri Kita".

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin then presented the declaration letter on Seberang Prai's city status to Abdul Rahman.

Abdul Rahman also announced that the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) will be officially known as Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) effective today.

Chow then announced that Datuk Rozali Mohamud has been officially appointed Seberang Prai's first mayor in accordance with Section 4(2) of the 1976 Local Government Act.

The application to elevate MPSP to city council began in July 2018 as the local authority had fulfilled all criteria, such as having a population of more than 500,000 and revenue of RM100mil.

MPSP covers an administration area of 747.8sq km. It is the largest municipality in the country with a population of 946,200.