GEORGE TOWN – The state government today announced the appointment of Datuk Azhar Arshad, who is currently a Penang state deputy secretary, as the new mayor of the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the appointment of Azhar, 55, was unanimously agreed to at the state executive council meeting held on December 21.
“Azhar’s appointment is on loan for a period of two years and a one-year extension option effective tomorrow, and the appointment is being managed by the Public Service Department and the Public Services Commission.
Azhar replaces Datuk Rozali Mohamud, 63, whose service contract expires today.
In a statement, Chow said that since assuming the MBSP’s top seat in 2017. Rozali has helped make Seberang Prai famous with various recognitions at the state, national and international levels.
Recently, he said, MBSP had also achieved Low Carbon City status a year earlier than the original target. The council and the state have also been mentioned in the Malaysia Book of Records six times during Rozali’s tenure, he added.
“On this occasion, I represent the state leadership and would like to thank Datuk Rozali for his excellent service as MBSP mayor, and other positions since he joined the local authority service in 1990.
“It is hoped that this excellence can be continued by Azhar, who is currently the deputy state secretary (development) in the State Secretary Office.”
For the record, Azhar has an academic background in a Bachelor of Economics; Diploma in Education for Postgraduate Teaching Courses; Diploma in Public Management; and Master’s Course in Land Resource Management.
He had previously served in the Information Ministry, and several land and district offices in Pahang before serving in Penang state secretary’s office since November 2018. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
