GEORGE TOWN – Penang lost one of its distinguished public servants when Mohamed Akbar Mustapha died from an apparent heart attack on Tuesday.
Akbar, 61, had been described as the face of the state’s recreational sports and landscaping by his colleagues at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
He first cut his teeth in helping the late Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen raise the image of the island as a leading tourism site in the 1990s before managing parks and sports.
Akbar also helped Penang to host the Asia Pacific Masters Games in 2018, which reportedly brought an estimated RM27 million into the state's economy.
The 61-year-old just attended the launching of another green lung in the many housing schemes last weekend.
When he was the council’s management services director in the early 2000s, he got Penang residents keen on outdoor exercise and hiking at the Botanical Gardens and Youth Park.
Akbar, who always flashed a smile to journalists, was regarded as an example of a dedicated civil servant before retiring two years ago.
Later, the state government coaxed him out of retirement into serving as an executive director of City Stadium Inc and Open Spaces.
Leading the chorus of those paying their condolences to his family was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who posted that Akbar was the pioneer chief executive officer of the state Stadium Board after an illustrious career with the MBPP.
He added that Akbar will be remembered for beautifying the state with his passion for landscaping and planting of heritage and Malaysian tree species.
Schoolmate Wong Mun Hoe said that Akbar studied with him at SK Westlands.
“He used to assist us when we were with (Datuk) Kee in promoting tourism.”
Akbar executed the state policies well, often with a friendly demeanour and giving an impression that he loved his job, said Wong.
“It is people like him who make Penang a liveable place.”
State youth and sports exco Soon Lip Chee also paid tribute to Akbar. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021
