While George Town was the first municipality in Malaya to have been recognised as a city in 1957, since 1974 it’s been relegated to having only a regular municipal council. That all changed on March 10, when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reinstated Penang as a city, with its own City Hall … and on March 31, its first Mayor in more than 40 years.
As a bonus, Penang’s new mayor will be a woman!
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the appointment of Patahiyah Ismail to the mayorship, and that the city wil now be under the auspices of the new Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Patahiyah was previously the first woman appointed to head a Municipal Council in 2010.
“It’s historical that George Town is finally able to regain its city status,” Lim said, as quoted by The Star Online.
George Town’s upgrade to city status will also bring in more territory under its purview, from 297 square kilometres previously to 305.773 sq km, and an increase in city personnel from 388 to 3,576.
Patahiyah will be sworn in at 10am on March 31 at the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in Jalan Utama.
Good luck, Madame Mayor!
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