GEORGE TOWN: Tun Datuk Seri Utama Ramli Ngah Talib has been sworn in as the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri on Labour Day.
He succeeded Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, who has served as the eighth Penang governor since 2021.
State secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long announced the appointment while Penang High Court judge Datuk Rozana Ali Yusoff witnessed the swearing-in ceremony held at Dewan Sri Pinang.
Ramli arrived at Dewan Sri Pinang at 8.30am accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.
The ceremony started with Ramli inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Malay Regiment, comprising three officers and 103 soldiers led by Major Mohd Salleh Jamal, before being paraded into the ceremonial hall.
Ramli also took the oath as the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri and signed the instrument of oath of office at the ceremony, witnessed by Rozana and Zulkifli.
After Ramli was sworn in, the pinnacle of the ceremony was followed by 17 cannon shots as a symbolic appointment of the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri.
During the ceremony, Ramli, 84, received Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (D.U.P.N), which carries the title of Datuk Seri Utama.
Present during the ceremony were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, and many other dignitaries.
The former Dewan Rakyat speaker received the instrument of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during the Presentation of the Instrument of Appointment Ceremony at Dewan Singgahsana Kecil, Istana Negara, on April 24.
Ramli's appointment as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang was made in accordance with Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Penang for a term of four years, beginning from May 1, 2025 until April 30, 2029.
He previously held several key positions at both the federal and state levels, including serving as the eighth Mentri Besar of Perak for 17 years, from 1982 to 1999.
