Penangites show diversity can be unifying factor, says governor

GEORGE TOWN: After a year in office as Penang governor, Ramli Ngah Talib says his biggest takeaway is how the Pearl of the Orient’s diversity is lived out by Penangites daily.

The former four-term Perak menteri besar recalled attending a mass circumcision ceremony for orphans and underprivileged children organised by a non-Muslim elected representative, describing it as one of the most memorable moments in the past year.

To Ramli, this showcased one of Penang’s best qualities: people from different backgrounds still coming together to help one another.

That was why, after a year in office, his message to Penangites is a simple one: “cherish harmony, for once fractured, it is not easily restored”.

In a recent interview with FMT, Ramli described the past year as an honour and a humbling experience, noting that the different communities in Penang have managed to hold on to their respective traditions and values while still living together with tolerance and mutual respect.

He said Penangites have been warm and welcoming towards him, and that what stood out was not just the state’s diversity, but how naturally people lived in it.

“Penang is a mixed society, but it’s not a mixed-up society,” he added.

For many outsiders, Penang may be known mainly for its food, heritage and tourism appeal, but Ramli said the state’s strength runs deeper.

The governor said Penangites value what is real and familiar in everyday life — from food and culture to their way of life — and seem to have a stronger attachment to their state than many others.

That, he said, could be seen in the way they care for old buildings, historical sites and other aspects of Penang’s heritage, which he described as “living testaments of the journey that has shaped who we are today”.

While Penang remains economically vibrant, socially cohesive and politically stable, Ramli warned that such strengths should not be taken for granted.

“There is acceptance towards others and a balance. A give and take … we should preserve that,” he said.

Ramli also said his first year in office has strengthened his view that the governor must go beyond ceremony and be close to the people.

“You cannot occupy an exalted position like that, only to sign proclamations,” he said, in explaining why he went out of his way to meet Penangites throughout the year.

Ramli, who had also served as Dewan Rakyat speaker, was appointed the ninth governor of Penang on May 1, 2025.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today