Patahiyah is mayor of Penang Island
Story by Chan Lilian
DATUK Bandar Patahiyah Ismail, who was wearing a blue ceremonial mayor’s robe with golden lace trimmings, appeared at the Governor’s residence looking very serious.
This was to be expected as she was to receive the tasks and responsibilities of being the mayor of the Penang Island City Council.
Patahiyah began her career in the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) in 1985 as an architect attached to the Building Department.
In 1992, she helmed the Building Department as its director and was instrumental in getting George Town listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.
In June 2009, she made a mark in history as the first female secretary in the MPPP and then became its president on March 1, 2010.
She was conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) by Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in 2012.
At the declaration of the Penang Island City Council on March 31, Patahiyah received the symbolic “cokmar” or the ceremonial mace to signify the power of the Penang Island City Council.
Thereafter, she was given the Chain of Office after she took her oath.
The robe, “cokmar” and Chain of Office were designed and made according to specifications of the Commonwealth Countries’ Mayoral office.
Patahiyah’s robe in blue signifies the blue seas surrounding Penang and it was tailored in the United Kingdom.
Patahiyah spoke to reporters after the ceremony and said: “I am aware of the heavy responsibilities of the mayor as there are a lot of things to be carried out for the island of Penang.”
Later at another ceremony at the Penang Island City Hall, Patahiyah said in her maiden speech: “The declaration of the Penang Island City Council is a historic moment for our state. We will continue to work hard to deliver efficient and effective services to the stakeholders and bring improvements in all areas including safety, cleanliness, greener environment and health.”
Henceforth, Patahiyah shall be addressed as the Datuk Bandar.