EIGHT new councillors have been appointed among the 24 members of Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) for 2026.
Of the eight new appointees, three have previously served as councillors. The new additions include Linda Ng Kerh Wei (DAP), Yoganraj Thever Kathiravelu (DAP), Hasrul Husin (PKR), Datuk Mohd Zaidi Said (BN) and Chang Kim Joo (NGO).
Meanwhile, Tan Chee Teong (DAP), Anuar Yussoff (PKR) and Ahmad Rizal Abd Hamid (PKR) have been reappointed.
The councillors took their oaths during a swearing-in ceremony before Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and MBSP mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid at the MBSP headquarters building in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.
For 2026, the MBSP councillor composition includes 10 members from DAP, nine from PKR, two from Amanah, two from Barisan Nasional (BN), and one representative from a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The councillors’ tenure runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
In his speech, Baderul congratulated all 24 councillors and urged them to work with the city council to provide the best service to the people of Seberang Perai.
“The local council plays a crucial role as the backbone of urban development and public well-being.
“City councillors serve as the bridge between MBSP and the community, conveying the people’s voices and ensuring that every decision made benefits the collective welfare.
“Therefore, leadership that is both visionary and grounded in integrity is key to the success of a city,” he said.
Baderul added that appointment as a councillor is not merely an honour but a significant trust bestowed by the people.
“I hope all councillors appointed today will move forward in tandem with MBSP, contributing their expertise, ideas and energy to ensure that Seberang Perai continues to develop in an inclusive, sustainable and competitive manner,” he said.
H’ng also extended his congratulations and expressed high expectations for the 2026 councillors.
“Having successfully navigated a challenging 2025, the year ahead demands stronger commitment, greater resilience and more focused efforts.
“The people of Seberang Perai place high hopes on changes that will bring direct benefits to their daily lives, particularly in areas such as well-planned urban development, environmental sustainability and strengthening the local economy,” he said.
He expressed hope that all MBSP councillors sworn in today would carry out their duties with dedication, a people-centric approach and a strong commitment to public interest.
“May MBSP continue to be strengthened as a credible, effective and integrity-driven local council for the progress of Seberang Perai and the well-being of its people,” he added.
Chow also congratulated the 24 councillors and urged them to perform their responsibilities diligently and effectively in serving residents on the mainland.
He also thanked the former MBSP councillors for their contributions and service to the city council.
“I hope they will continue to contribute to the community even though they are no longer serving as councillors,” he said.
Chow noted that Penang stands to benefit significantly from the National Budget 2026, including the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project, which is expected to ease traffic congestion while enhancing mobility and economic efficiency in Seberang Perai.
“In this regard, I hope MBSP and its councillors will formulate and implement a comprehensive and effective traffic dispersal plan for Seberang Perai.
“In addition, the upgrading of the Bertam Sports Complex will provide more comfortable recreational facilities, particularly for residents of North Seberang Perai (SPU). As this complex is an MBSP asset, it must be well maintained and fully utilised by the local community.
“Councillors can also play an important role in educating the public to appreciate and care for the public facilities provided,” he said.
Chow added that with Seberang Perai spanning nearly 751 square kilometres, the councillors appointed today shoulder a major responsibility as grassroots representatives of the state government.
“MBSP councillors are the backbone of local governance, tasked with delivering policies, listening to the people and addressing community needs.
“In this fast-paced digital and social media era, councillors must remain informed, responsive and responsible in addressing local issues and disseminating accurate, factual information.
“The principles of efficiency, trust, transparency and accountability must always guide every action and decision,” he stressed.
Chow expressed confidence that, with their collective experience, diverse backgrounds and commitment, the new MBSP line-up for 2026 will help transform Seberang Perai into a well-planned, inclusive and liveable city with balanced economic, social and cultural development.
The list of 24 MBSP councillors for 2026:
1. Ooi Yong Wooi
2. Zainuddin Mohamed
3. Muhamad Suzuki Ahmad
4. Heng Yeh Shiuan
5. Teh Chuann Yien
6. Chong Wei Hoong (Derick)
7. Linggeswaran Charmar
8. Ngoh Cheng Hai (Jeff)
9. Ponnudurai Anthony Srinvasagam
10. Linda Ng Kerh Wei -(New)
11. Tan Chee Teong – (Reappointed)
12. Yogonraj Thever Kathiravelu – (New)
13. Predeeb Kumar Kalidass
14. Lim Chee Chien
15. Lim Eng Nam
16. Yeoh Kim Kim
17. Zulkifli Md Yusop
18. Anuar Yussoff – (Reappointed)
19. Hasrul Husin – (New)
20. Ahmad Rizal Abd Hamid -(Reappointed)
21. Zulkiply Ishak
22. Datuk Mohd Noor Ahmad
23. Datuk Mohd Zaidi Said – (New)
24. Chang Kim Joo – (New)
Speaking on his priorities, Ahmad Rizal said addressing illegal traders, development issues, traffic congestion and local cleanliness would be among his main focus areas.
“These are issues that require greater emphasis. I would also like to express my appreciation to the state government for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as an MBSP councillor for a second term,” he said.
Anuar said his focus would be on improving traffic flow in the Bukit Tambun constituency, while also assisting in resolving issues in the Sungai Bakap area.
“My focus will be on public complaints, especially those that may have been overlooked. Issues related to South Seberang Perai (SPS), particularly traffic congestion and water supply, will be my main agenda for 2026,” he said.
Hasrul said he has been assigned to the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency.
“I will look into issues affecting the area and do my best to resolve the people’s problems. I am committed to serving the residents of Tasek Gelugor,” he said.
Yoganraj said his primary focus would be on Bukit Mertajam, with efforts aimed at enhancing liveability and quality of life.
“This includes infrastructure upgrades, drainage improvements and other related initiatives,” he said.
Tan, who previously served as an MBSP councillor from 2013 to 2023 and has been reappointed this year, said he hopes to draw on his decade of experience, as well as two years outside the council, to better serve the community.
“Being a city councillor brings you close to the people. Over the years, I have received extensive feedback on issues such as road planning and flood management, and I will continue to explore appropriate solutions,” he said.
Linda Ng said she would prioritise listening to residents’ concerns, improving cleanliness and enhancing service delivery across Seberang Perai.
Chang said she aims to act as a bridge between the people and the local council.
“I will diligently fulfil my responsibilities and look forward to working with the Penang government, MBSP, community leaders, NGOs and residents to jointly promote sustainable development, inclusive governance and the overall well-being of the people of Seberang Perai,” she said.
Also present were state Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol, state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, state Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze and Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud