AFTER the conclusion of the exciting state election, Penang elected representatives are ready to get to work.
Newly-appointed Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said it is time to get to work and serve the rakyat who have given their mandate to the Penang unity government.
“One of our main duties is to strengthen national unity and move forward together. We need to focus on driving Penang’s economy,” he told a media conference at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Dr Mohamad, who is the Batu Maung assemblyman, is leading the Islamic Development, Education and National Unity portfolio.
He was a former rector of Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang (Kitab). He served as a rector of the college from 2020 to 2023.
Before that, Dr Mohamad was the deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS) from 2017 to 2019.
Dr Mohamad obtained his doctorate in Islamic Finance and Banking from Universiti Putra Malaysia before completing his postdoctoral in Islamic Finance at Markfield Institute of Higher Learning (MIHE) Islamic Foundation, United Kingdom.
Three-term assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister II and will head the Human Capital Development, Science and Technology portfolio.
Jagdeep said he was happy to take up the challenge to lead the new portfolio.
“I take this challenge very positively. It is a good thing to move forward,” the Datok Keramat assemblyman added.
He was the former state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman.
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, who has been appointed as the state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman, thanked Chow and the party leaders for entrusting her with the portfolio.
“My goal is to promote a harmonious society in Penang and ensure the well-being of our people in a much broader aspect.
“Looking back, I served at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) (then Penang Municipal Council) as a councillor from 2008 to 2013 before becoming the state assemblyman for Sungai Pinang.
“This is my third term as the Sungai Pinang assemblyman, which I believe, has given me a strong foundation to perform my duty.
“I am also familiar with the social development and non-Islamic religious affairs of Penang,” Lim said.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, said he would like to rectify issues concerning housing as well as would ensure that the state government continues to provide affordable homes for the people.
Sundarajoo said he has been a property developer for almost 37 years and had worked for three different companies over the years, namely SP Setia and EcoWorld and another company.
“I chose to retire at the age of 60 to do some social work.
“So, when I was offered to join politics, I accepted it as I thought that it would be a good platform for me to serve the people.
“I did not expect to be appointed as the state exco and what makes me happier is that I have been given the portfolio which I am familiar with, which is housing and environment.
“It is a happy day for me today,” Sundarajoo told Buletin Mutiara after the swearing-in ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Being a former developer, Sundarajoo said his previous development projects were eco-friendly development.
“We do not just destroy green to build houses. Instead, we put back whatever we have removed from the earth.
“We rescued those big trees and replanted them,” he added.
Sundarajoo, who is also the Perai assemblyman, said that he would also focus on housing projects on the mainland.
“The former exco member for housing, Jagdeep, who is now the Deputy Chief Minister II, has done a good job to provide affordable homes for the people. I appreciate what he has done and I want to continue his legacy.
“At the same time, I want to spend more time on the mainland to provide affordable homes.
“As a responsible state government, we will not run away from our responsibility to provide affordable homes to those who are in need,” he said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter and Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Darwina Mohd Daud