TUN Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak is indeed a true-blue Penangite who wants only the best for his beloved state, the Pearl of the Orient.
His dedication and commitment to the people are admirably unwavering, with his calendar filled to the brim in a day, seven days a week. He is constantly on the ground meeting the people to better understand what Penang needed to continue its growth and excellence.
As the head of state, he has great aspirations for Penang — where he was born and bred, before spreading his wings overseas working as a diplomat in Moscow, The Hague, Canberra, Washington DC and Dhaka.
Ahmad Fuzi holds the distinction of being the first diplomat to become Yang di-Pertua Negri, and has completed the third of his four-year term.
He was sworn in as Penang’s eighth governor on Labour Day, 2021, succeeding Tun Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Despite his hectic schedule, Ahmad Fuzi keeps himself up to date with both local and global issues. He is active on social media where the people can keep abreast with his developments on his Facebook and Instagram pages titled “TYT Penang”.
Known for his punctuality and attention to detail, he is also an ardent reader who peruses all major newspapers and publications, including online media daily.
Age is just a number for this charismatic leader who turned 75. He is an avid cyclist and one who enjoys theme parks while fuelling his love for travelling and spending quality time with his family.
He was proudly bestowed with a Malaysia Book of Records recognition as the first Yang di- Pertua Negri of Penang to cycle across both Penang bridges consecutively, reinforcing his efforts in promoting a healthy lifestyle and his passion for cycling.
To spread the message of unity, his birthday wish for Penang is to become a state where unity among all races forms the bedrock of its collective progress.
“Our shared happiness and well-being are paramount, and we must pursue economic growth and development in ways that respect and preserve the natural beauty and resources of our beloved Penang.
“Success should never come at the expense of our environment or the well-being of our people. In our journey towards greatness, we will cherish the values of hard work and teamwork, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.
“Together, we will build a Penang that stands as a beacon of harmony, sustainability and shared prosperity for all,” he enthused.
His third year in office has been a well accomplished one with many pioneering achievements across all sectors.
Key highlights
Penang successfully planted over one million trees in a day to earn a place in the Malaysia Book of Records. This historic milestone was initiated by Ahmad Fuzi and carried out by the state government and the people.
The Yang di-Pertua Negri exceeded his initial target with a total 1,273,373 trees planted at various locations throughout Penang. The event, which saw the participation of 269,485 people, aligned perfectly with the Penang2030 Vision to become a family-focused green and smart state.
Ahmad Fuzi and his delegation were also the first group from Malaysia to ride the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train that can travel 385 km per hour, covering 142km in 40 minutes.
Adding to his already esteemed portfolio are the conferment of the Beret and Honorary Airborne Wing of the 69 Commando (VAT 69) of the Royal Malaysia Police, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Management at SEGi University’s 27th Convocation and the CHT Lifetime Achievement Award 2024.
This was his second doctorate, with the first being the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership from Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship’s 39th Convocation.
To further improve bilateral relations and tourism for Penang, he welcomed visiting dignitaries including Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson and Vice-Governor of Shaanxi Chen Chunjiang.
Ahmad Fuzi was accorded with the invitation to the Installation Ceremony of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, at Istana Negara.
Charity
The magnanimous head of state exhibits an exceptional passion for the people of Penang and is deeply dedicated to helping those in need.
With focus on the welfare and well-being of Penangites, Ahmad Fuzi constantly works to make a positive impact on their lives through the Yayasan Amal TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, which he founded. This foundation is the first established by a Yang di-Pertua Negri.
His charitable activities include visiting the family of Muhammad Hawari Hashim, a differently- abled climber of the Malaysia Everest 2023 team who was reported missing on May 19, 2023. Ahmad Fuzi later officiated the house handover to his wife Safiyyah Tan Xie Li.
He also visited the family of the late Mohd Izwan Illias, a firefighter who tragically drowned at Marine Jetty Mak Mandin and Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, who was one of the 10 military heroes who passed in the helicopter crash at the Royal Malaysian Navy Base.
The down-to-earth leader also channelled personal contribution to the Palestinian Humanitarian Aid, handed out monetary aid to the underprivileged community at the state-level Deepavali Open House 2023, and attended the School Aid Programme 2024 and Chinese New Year hamper distribution for elderlies.
Education
Ahmad Fuzi’s dedication to the future leaders of Penang is truly remarkable. Recognising the importance of investing in youth and education, he has prioritised this since taking office.
With much determination, he has actively collaborated with corporations and the education sector, urging them to give back to the community through scholarships.
They are awarded not only to deserving and high-achievers but also to those from underprivileged backgrounds, particularly within the B40 category.
By forging meaningful partnerships and championing educational opportunities, the Yang di-Pertua Negri has played a crucial role in creating a brighter future for Penang’s youth, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed as tomorrow’s leaders.
He attended the 207th Penang Free School Speech Day, the handover ceremony of 21st Century Learning Technology (Smartboards) and the opening ceremony of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Lab and Artificial Intelligence Robotics Technology at SJK (C) Mak Mandin.
Ahmad Fuzi also witnessed the presentation of full scholarships worth RM1mil to 20 deserving students from the B40 category by UNITAR in collaboration with the Penang government.
Religious
Ahmad Fuzi’s profound bond with Islam and reverence for Allah (SWT) has been integral to his life since childhood, influenced by his father’s role as a religious teacher. This dedication is manifested in his regular visits to mosques throughout Penang. Every Friday, he actively interacts with congregants, building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds by joining them in prayers.
He makes it a point to visit every single mosque in the state, both on the island and mainland. Over the past year alone, he had visited over 60 mosques, underscoring his steadfast commitment to faith and community.
He also attended the Thanksgiving Ceremony in conjunction with Ramadan and hosted an Iftar dinner for government department heads and state directors at Seri Mutiara.
Ahmad Fuzi was also present at the Iftar Ceremony and Presentation of Ramadan Aid organised by the Penang Muslim Association Tanjung (PELITA) and the Chowrasta Bazaar Traders Association Penang.
He also graced the Faith Conference featuring prominent international speakers and distributed 251 cows to 212 mosques under Korban Perdana 2024 organised by Yayasan Amal.
Meetings
Ahmad Fuzi accepted briefings and courtesy calls from the government, private sector, NGOs and the public at large to understand the plight of Penangites.
Leveraging on his extensive corporate expertise, he is highly knowledgeable to provide advice and ideas and connect people together for mutually beneficial relationships.
His meetings are not just diplomatic engagements but are also strategic initiatives to drive economic growth by attracting foreign direct investment and high-profile events to Penang.
Despite a demanding schedule of approximately three to five meetings per day including weekends, he consistently prioritises supporting worthy causes.
In addition, he has graciously welcomed courtesy calls from distinguished ambassadors and diplomats from around the world. These interactions underscore his commitment to diplomatic dialogue and strengthening international relations.
Multicultural events
Always one to stay in touch with the people, Ahmad Fuzi never skips invitations especially to significant cultural events, where he gets to actively engage with Penangites.
He recognises the inherent charm of being amid Penang’s multicultural population. His interactions with people from all walks of life exemplify his genuine interest in fostering unity and understanding within a multicultural community.
He was guest of honour at the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival 2023, Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) 2024 and the 19th Vaisakhi Open House 2024.
The state leader together with the state government also hosted the 2024 Hari Raya Open House at Dewan Millennium.
Ahmad Fuzi also completed the climb of 1,028 steps to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, making the round trip to personally experience the ascent to the summit.
Official events
It has indeed been a busy but fulfilling year for the Yang di- Pertua Negri with his days filled with official events across the board ranging from economy and industry to sports and environmental.
These consist of the Penang South Island Footprint Ceremony on Silicon Island, Walkabout Ceremony for the Completion of Physical Works (Phase 1) at Gurney Bay and the Global Chinese Economic & Technology (GCET) Summit.
Ahmad Fuzi delivered the keynote address at the 2023 World Digital Economy and Technology Summit on Leveraging Digital Technology to Build Back Better, Sustainable and Inclusive Societies.
He inaugurated the TYT Cup Golf Tournament organised by Seberang Perai City Council in Bandung, and Joy Walk with TYT programme up on Penang Hill.
His love for sports and the outdoors saw him cycling 24km from the south Seberang Perai district office to the Sungai Acheh ADUN service centre and engaging in jungle trekking to inspect the hiking trails starting from Moon Gate, Botanical Gardens.
Another fun event is the Fun Ride Bicycle Expedition organised by Penang Island City Council to mark his 74th birthday last year. Ahmad Fuzi together with some 300 participants completed the 20km ride around heritage George Town.
He also officiated the One Tree One Life Programme, planting 111 trees for the 111th anniversary of Penang Hindu Sabha and the International Conference on Eco-Tourism and Conservation Efforts 2023.
Other notable events comprise of the 6th INPenang International Awards, launching of the new Penang Ferry service operation, The Conference of Rulers, World Children’s Day 2023 and state International Women’s Day 2024.
Source Agencies
