GEORGE TOWN – Former Foreign Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak has been appointed Penang’s eighth Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
He succeeds Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, the state’s longest-serving governor who is retiring after 20 years in the post.
Fuzi, 72, was in the civil service prior to entering the corporate world.
His appointment was warmly welcomed by state politicians and the business community.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow congratulated Fuzi, and promised to work closely with him for Penang’s betterment.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Musa Sheikh Fadzir said he is grateful that the palace chose a Penang-born individual for the post, as such a person would better understand the state’s needs.
He pledged his party’s full cooperation to Fuzi.
Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle joint business council chairman Datuk Faudzi Noh wished the new governor the best, saying his experience in foreign affairs will help position Penang as an economic driver not just for Malaysia, but the region.
Fuzi was chosen over two others tipped for the post, namely former deputy health minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya and Penang Malay Association president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff.
Istana Negara officials familiar with the matter said the DAP-led Penang government had requested that Rahman’s appointment as Yang di-Pertua Negeri be extended for two years.
The Perikatan Nasional federal government proposed Hilmi for the position, while Yussof was seen as a “compromise candidate”.
The palace ended up choosing Fuzi, a “neutral figure” who began his diplomatic service at the Foreign Ministry in 1972.
The father of two is the second “mainlander” to hold the governor’s post after Rahman.
Born in Sg Bakap, Nibong Tebal, he is also an alumni adviser at Bukit Mertajam High School, which counts among its students PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Fuzi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Universiti Malaya, and completed the foreign service course with a Certificate in Diplomacy from Oxford University in 1974.
He joined the corporate world after retiring in 2015, going on to serve as director and adviser on over 20 boards.
He is on the board of Meritus University, founded by shipping tycoon Tan Sri Halim Mohamed and specialising in maritime matters. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021
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