GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has given its assurance that the state will devote attention towards growing the economy while also being vigilant for any resurgence of Covid-19.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony to mark the 73rd birthday celebrations of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state has shown resilience in battling the challenges of the new age.
He pointed out that despite the uncertainties in the global economy, Penang still recorded a GDP growth of 6.8% last year, with investments in manufacturing reaching RM76.2 billion in the same year.
At the same time, residents here had cooperated with the health authorities to achieve among the highest rates in vaccination against Covid-19.
As of July 13 this year, a total of 1.6 million Penang residents had completed two vaccination doses (90.6%) while 1 million (60.9%) had received booster doses.
“The state government will ensure continued excellence through the implementation of various projects and people-centric initiatives, while also enabling all segments of society in the state to share in the fruits of development,” said Chow.
He said that the passenger traffic at Penang International Airport from January to May this year reached some 1.39 million, showing that the tourism recovery plan has worked.
It has restored confidence in the tourism sector, he said.
Meanwhile, Fuzi is set to confer state awards on 1,380 recipients – the highest number the state has seen since 2018.
The awards were given out in conjunction with the Sg Bakap-born Fuzi’s birthday celebration on July 9, which was delayed because it had clashed with Hari Raya Aidiladha earlier this month.
Leading the recipients were three technocrats who have contributed to the state’s trade, manufacturing, and public service sectors.
They were awarded the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri, which carries the title of Datuk Seri.
The three are business tycoon Datuk Seri Yusuf Taiyoob, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai, and former Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd group CEO Datuk Seri Mohamed Hassan Md Kamil, who is an alumnus of the University of Iowa in the US.
Others who received the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri, which also carries the Datuk Seri rank, include Penang state secretary Datuk Seri Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus, Penang Water Supply Corporation CEO Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa, Securities Commission chairman Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin, Penang Medical College senior consultant forensic pathologist Assoc Prof Datuk Seri Dr Bhupinder Singh Jeswant Singh, and former Seberang Prai City Council mayor Datuk Seri Rozali Mohamud
State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang told a media briefing that the ceremony involving the bestowing of titles and medals will be held over four days at Dewan Sri Pinang here.
Earlier, Fuzi inspected a guard of honour to mark the special occasion.
From the media fraternity, former The Vibes journalist Arulldass Sinnappan received the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri, which carries the title Datuk, while tourism blogger V. Sivaji, who is a former journalist, was bestowed with the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian.
Others who were also bestowed with datukships are Penang Island City Council secretary Rajendran Anthony, former Penang Private Medical Practitioners Society president Dr Parmjit Singh and senior nephrologist Dr Anita Bhajan Manocha.
Fuzi was sworn in as the eighth Penang governor last year in May 2021 after a distinguished stint as a career diplomat with the Foreign Ministry.
The former Bukit Mertajam secondary school boy succeeded Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, who had served as the state’s seventh governor since 2001. – The Vibes, July 23, 2022
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