THE Penang State Legislative Assembly has approved the appointment of Datuk Seri Professor Dr Noor Inayah Ya’akub and Dr A. Lingeshwaran as senators (Dewan Negara), following a motion presented by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the first meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fifteenth Assembly.
The appointments, made under Article 45(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, are intended to ensure that Penang’s interests and voice continue to be effectively represented at the federal level. Chow’s motion, seconded by state Trade and National Unity Committee chairman Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun), was unanimously accepted.
Chow described both appointees as individuals of integrity, experience, and expertise, capable of effectively advancing Penang’s interests at the federal level.
“Their appointments ensure that Penang continues to be represented by progressive and credible figures who can contribute meaningfully to national policymaking,” he said.
Penang-born Prof Dr Noor Inayah, 57, has an outstanding academic and professional record.
She received her early education at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Methodist, Nibong Tebal, and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Al-Irsyad, Penang, before pursuing legal studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia, where she earned two honours bachelor’s degrees: LLB (Hons) and LLB Syariah (Hons).
Her academic excellence continued with a Master of Law from the University of Bristol, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Throughout her career, she has held several senior positions, including president and vice-chancellor of Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), vice-chancellor and chief executive officer of the International University of the Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP), and law professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Her expertise in law, governance, Islamic finance, and Shariah has been widely recognised, leading to appointments on numerous prominent institutions, including Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Amanah Raya Berhad, and Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia, and she has served as Shariah adviser to several major national financial institutions.
At the state level, she is the only woman serving on the Penang State Fatwa Committee and has played a significant role in the Penang Islamic Education Foundation, Penang Halal International, and various Islamic community development institutions. She also made history as the first female Nasir of a mosque institution in Selangor.
Dr Lingeshwaran, 39, is a healthcare professional and active community leader. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in 2011, before pursuing a Master of Laws in Health and Medical Law at Taylor’s University in 2018, and subsequently obtained a Master of Health Management and Leadership from the University of New South Wales, Australia, in 2022.
He previously served as director of Sungai Bakap Hospital under the Ministry of Health, before being appointed a Senator for the first term in 2023.
During his tenure as a Senator from March 2023 to March 2026, he advocated for public health, medical personnel welfare, education, and state development, while representing Malaysia in regional forums such as the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
He also serves as deputy chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board and the Penang Tamil Schools Committee since 2023.
Story by K.H. Ong