New role: Sultan Ibrahim conferring the SMN award to Ramli during the ceremony at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tun Ramli Ngah Talib has been appointed the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang, effective May 1, 2025.
He received the instrument of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during a presentation ceremony at Istana Negara yesterday.
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 Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Bernama reported.
Ramli takes over from Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, who held the post since May 1, 2021.
Ramli brings with him a wealth of experience and notable achievements in both politics and the country’s administration.
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 till 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.
Ramli received his early education from Malay College Kuala Kangsar and read law at Queen’s University, Belfast, before being admitted as barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, London.
During his time in the United Kingdom, Ramli was active in the students’ union in Belfast and became editor of the Kesatuan Melayu United Kingdom magazine.
Upon his return to Malaysia, Ramli embarked on an academic career, becoming a law lecturer at the Mara Institute of Technology (now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara, or UiTM).
He also served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Malaya in the early 1970s.
In 1971, he made history as the first in-house legal adviser to the National Electricity Board or NEB (now known as Tenaga Nasional Bhd or TNB).
Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and legal acumen, he went on to qualify as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya and co-founded the law firm Kadir, Tan & Ramli in 1977.
Meanwhile, IMRAN HILMY reports that Penangites are hopeful that Ramli will guide the state to a new era of progress.
Bank manager Mahathir Mohd Jamal Mohd ,45, said he was looking forward to positive changes especially in terms of welfare and implementation of state government policies.
He said he hoped the new governor would also focus on the welfare of the underprivileged, as his predecessor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak did.
Businessman A. Alagesan ,49, said he was optimistic that the new governor would guide Penang to greater heights.
“Tun Ramli has served in many respectable positions before and I am sure he will be able to use this to his advantage (in his new role) in Penang.”
Meanwhile, Sultan Ibrahim also received the letters of credence from eight foreign heads of mission to Malaysia in a ceremony at the palace.
