MELAKA: Known for his hard-working ethos, Melaka’s seventh Yang-di Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam still continues being the people’s leader like he used to do as a former Chief Minister.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said Dr Mohd Ali was well respected by Melakans for his dedication to develop the historic city.
“Tun (Dr Mohd Ali) has not slowed down in his focus on serving the grassroots despite his current position as a non-politician,” he said when congratulating Dr Mohd Ali in conjunction with his 72nd Birthday on Tuesday (Aug 24).
Sulaiman Md Ali also described Dr Mohd Ali as an architect of modern Melaka.
“It’s undeniable that our current Yang-di Pertua has transformed a once sleepy hollow into a top global tourist destination.
“One good example was turning the once dirty Sungai Melaka into a major tourist attraction for the state,” he said in an interview.
Sulaiman said Dr Mohd Ali is a modest leader and his in-depth knowledge in urban planning as well as keen understanding of economics and issues affecting the locals.
“He treats everyone the same and people from different walks of life continue to make a beeline to Melaka Palace, just like they used to do when Dr Mohd Ali was the Chief Minister from 1999 to 2013.
“This reflects the trust that Yang-di Pertua has gained by fostering good relationships with the locals regardless of their skin colour,” he said, adding that Dr Mohd Ali’s down-to-earth nature and people-first policy have endeared him to Melakans.
Sulaiman said Dr Mohd Ali also continues to champion the causes for quality education, healthcare and social wellbeing.
“Dr Mohd Ali is also a fatherly figure for many of us in the current administration,” he said.
Sulaiman said Dr Mohd Ali is also vocal when it comes to defending the principles of justice and the people of Melaka.
He said Dr Mohd Ali always strived to ensure that the needs of all communities were met.
“He is a staunch advocate of national harmony and regularly cautions community leaders to cast aside sentiments that could jeopardise unity,” he said.
Sulaiman said Dr Mohd Ali has always cared for the less privileged and encouraged the state government to provide opportunities, effective healthcare and quality to those who could not afford it.
Dr Mohd Ali, he said, was also dedicated to bringing positive change to the tourism arts and culture industries and safeguarding the environment.
“In a nutshell, Dr Mohd Ali understands the concerns and issues faced by people and is willing to help the state government make Melaka a better place to live,” he said.
Dr Mohd Ali, 72, created history in June 2020 when he was the first Melakan to be made a Yang-di Pertua since the nation gained Independence in 1957.
Melaka’s first Yang-di Pertua was Tun Leong Yew Koh (Aug 31, 1957 – Aug 30, 1959) from Sungai Siput, Perak); Tun Abdul Malek Yusuf (Aug 31, 1959 – Aug 30, 1971, from Kg Chengkau, Negri Sembilan); Tun Abdul Aziz Abdul Majid (Aug 31, 1971 – May 9, 1975, from Hulu Langat, Selangor); Tun Syed Zahiruddin Syed Hassan (May 23, 1975 – Nov 30, 1984, from Tanjung Kerian, Perak); Tun Syed Ahmad Syed Mahmud Shahabudin (Dec 4, 1984 –June 3, 2004, from Kulim, Kedah) and Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob (June 4, 2004 – June 2020 from Kuantan, Pahang).
