In response to the critics, Ramli said there was little merit to their objection, pointing out that the state’s first governor, Raja Uda Raja Muhammad (better known as Raja Tun Uda) was from Selangor.

“Then came others, such as Sardon Jubir, who was from Johor and Hamdan Sheikh Tahir, also from Perak. So I’m not the first,” he told FMT in an interview.

Ramli said the role has never been exclusive to those born in Penang. Nonetheless, there has been a fair share of Penangites assuming the state’s highest office.

“Abdul Rahman Abbas (who was from Kepala Batas) served for 20 years. Then came his successor Ahmad Fuzi Razak (who was born in Sungai Bakap, and who served for four years). That’s two from the state out of nine governors so far. It’s quite fair,” he added.

Ramli, a seasoned politician who once served as Perak menteri besar and later Dewan Rakyat speaker, was recently appointed the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang.

While there is no law mandating that the governor has to be a Penangite, some netizens have questioned why the post has not gone to a local boy.

Ramli said the appointment process is guided by the Federal Constitution, and it involves several parties, namely the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the prime minister, the chief minister and the state executive council.

“It is institutionalised. There are discretionary elements, but it’s not just a one-man decision,” he said.

He acknowledged the desire for local representation but urged Penangites to remember that the state’s identity has always been shaped by diversity and openness.

“This state was built by people from all over. Like Singapore, Penang was a port, a commercial hub. People came here for opportunities,” he said.

“This idea that only Penangites should be governor? It’s not in the spirit of Penang’s own history,” he added.