Penang’s new Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, is focused on uniting and empowering Muslims, as well as seeking the well-being of all Malays in Penang, regardless of their political background. He believes that unity is crucial in elevating the position of Malays and Islam. Mohamad also dismisses the notion that Islam is suppressed in Penang, explaining that the state government has allocated approximately RM800mil for Islamic activities since 2008. He credits the growth of mosques and suraus to the leadership of Pakatan Harapan and Pakatan Rakyat.
Mohamad acknowledges that certain groups associated with Opposition political parties have attempted to discredit the state government. He aims to counter such disinformation and strengthen the Muslim community. His first action as deputy chief minister was to withdraw the approval for the Viral Lagu Tik Tok Concert due to concerns from local residents, who felt that it did not consider the sensitivities of Muslims, especially since it was scheduled just two days after the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.
In an effort to combat disinformation about Islam in Penang, Mohamad wants the village community management councils (MPKK) to engage with communities, particularly in rural areas where accurate information is crucial. He also emphasizes that the state has six religious administration officers who can help disseminate accurate information. Mohamad, who hails from Permatang Bertam in Kepala Batas, also serves as the Batu Maung assemblyman and is responsible for the education and higher education portfolios.
With his background as an academician, Mohamad aims to drive Penang forward as an international education hub. He envisions private higher education centers collaborating with foreign universities to bring more programs to Penang and attract more international students. Mohamad joined PKR in 2020 after resigning from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as an associate professor in Islamic finance. Before entering politics, he held the position of deputy vice-chancellor of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (Unishams).
In the recent state election, Mohamad secured victory in the Batu Maung seat with a majority of 3,221 votes, defeating his opponent from Perikatan, Azahari Aris. He is married and has five children aged between five and 23 years old.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
