PENANG Special Branch chief, senior assistant Comm Datuk Winston Tan Thye Wah, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in Komtar this afternoon to formally announce his upcoming retirement from the police force.
Datuk Winston, who has served four years and six months in Penang and 39 years in the force, said his retirement will take effect on 11 December.
“I wanted to meet the chief minister personally to express my gratitude for the cooperation and support throughout my service here,” he said.
He shared that he has yet to decide on any post-retirement commitments, though he has received a few offers.
For now, he plans to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur, where his children live and where he owns a home, while maintaining strong ties with Penang.
As part of the transition, an acting officer from the department will temporarily take charge before a new Special Branch chief is appointed.
Datuk Winston emphasised that public security remains the foremost priority in ensuring community wellbeing and stability.
“Overall, public perception of Penang is positive, especially in terms of development.
“Governance and performance metrics will continue to be important areas to monitor,” he said.
He also touched on broader national trends affecting public sentiment and voter behaviour.
“After the Sabah election, we observed noticeable shifts in voter outlook.
“The presence of younger and newly registered voters has made predictions less straightforward,” he said.
Relatively, he added that rapid advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI), including manipulated audio or video, increasingly influence public confidence.
Before concluding, Datuk Winston expressed appreciation to the chief minister and the state.
“I am grateful for the support given throughout my tenure.
My focus now is to ensure a smooth and orderly handover,” he said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En