GE14 | Caretaker state executive councillor Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim has been appointed the president of the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAIPP).

State secretary Farizan Darus, who made the announcement in Komtar today, said the appointment is effective from January 2018 to December 2019.

The appointment was endorsed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in February, after receiving several recommendations from the state in October last year.

Abdul Malik, who is the state PKR vice-chairperson, takes the place of Salleh Man, the sole PAS assemblyperson in Penang.

When contacted today, Abdul Malik said he welcomed the appointment and the opportunity to contribute to the state via MAIPP.

The incumbent Batu Maung assemblyperson was dropped from PKR’s candidate list for the 14th general election despite holding the state seat for two terms.

However, Abdul Malik insisted that he would continue to implement the promises made in Pakatan Harapan's manifesto on the eminence of Islam in the state, should the coalition retain Penang after the 14th general election.

"I will be working closely with the state exco to strengthen the position of Islam in the state, as promised in the manifesto," he told Malaysiakini.

At the launch of the Penang Harapan manifesto last night, caretaker chief minister Lim Guan Eng said as much as RM457 million had been allocated for Islamic affairs from 2008 to 2016.

"This is a 84 percent increase from the RM249 million allocated during BN’s time, from 1999 to 2007," Lim said.

He also pointed to other measures taken in Penang to enhance the religion.

"A plot of land worth RM80 million was given to build a new Syariah High Court along Scotland Road.

"We have also established a Wakaf Institution to administer and develop wakaf land in Penang," he noted.

Lim added that the state had allocated 100 acres of land for the Penang Halal Industrial Park, with a total investment of RM717.46 million, and which will create 2,500 jobs.

Penang also approved 950 halal certificates, up from the 55 before the state government came into power. 

"We have developed our mosques. Masjid Al-Taqwa in Bertam obtained the third place at the National Level Mosque Award.

"Fourteen out of 20 mosques in Penang obtained certificates for the Malaysian Productivity Corporation, while we spent RM4 million to build the Umar Abdul Aziz Mosque in Batu Maung," Lim added.