GEORGE TOWN This year marks the third anniversary of Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak's service as Penang's 8th Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Since his appointment in April 2021, Fuzi has been at the forefront in promoting the state both locally and internationally.
He is also seen as a pillar of strength for the state government as it steers Penang towards various successes and achievements.
Fuzi's love for Penang is evident, not only through his words, but more importantly his actions.
This is even more so being a local boy himself, having been born in Sungai Bakap.
Under his stewardship, the Penang 2030 Vision has been successfully formulated and implemented to create a family-focused, smart and green state that inspires the nation.
Penang also continues to remain an attractive investment destination, as evident in the impressive RM71.9 billion investment flow reported last year.
RM61.7 billion, or 85.8 per cent of the flow, were foreign direct investments in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector.
The state has also successfully transformed into a major tourist destination, besides becoming a magnet for foreigners in the Malaysia My Second Home Programme.
For Fuzi, all these achievements speak well of the effective leadership, good governance and dedicated service displayed by the Penang government on the backdrop of the country's relative peace, harmony and political stability.
As the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Fuzi envisions a state where unity among all races forms the bedrock of collective progress.
"Our shared happiness and wellbeing 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 wellbeing 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," said the Penang governor's message in conjunction with his birthday today.
Fuzi has always believed that the state is on the right track to pursuing rapid economic development. This is facilitated by a stable government with dedicated leadership and well-proven track record.
However, more can be done to achieve greater success, despite the various challenges faced.
For Fuzi, Penang must be ready for the next level of socioeconomic development.
Just like the first two years, his third year in office has also witnessed numerous pioneering moments. Among the most notable was winning the coveted CHT Lifetime Achievement Award this year.
The award celebrates and honours outstanding individuals and organisations that have excelled in their respective industries both internationally and at home.
They are selected not only for their achievements in their respective fields, but also for their contributions to society.
A father of two, Fuzi, 75, joined
He joined the the Malaysian Diplomatic and Administrative Corps in 1972 and served in various capacities until 2009.
His last position in the civil service was as secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry.
During his career, he served at Malaysian missions in major cities, such as Moscow, the Hague, Canberra, Washington and Dhaka.
His tenure as ministry secretary-general saw him leading the Malaysian senior official delegation in negotiations at various bilateral, regional and international conferences.
He was involved in organising the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit in 2003, as well as the Asean Summit plus East Asia Summit and Related Summits in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur.
Fuzi is also a distinguished fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), besides serving as deputy chairman of the Malaysian Member Committee of the Council for Security.
Former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to Fuzi's appointment as Penang's 8th Yang di-Pertua Negeri in April 2021.
Another pioneering moment was the successful planting of one million trees in a day — the brainchild of Fuzi himself.