Zambry sworn in as new Perak MB

Pangkor state assemblyman Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, 47, was today sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Perak.

The swearing-in ceremony took place before the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at the Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan.

He replaced Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, whose tenure had come to an end following the switch in majority in the state assembly as a result of defections of four Pakatan Rakyat representatives to the Barisan Nasional.

The ceremony, which was boycotted by all 28 Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, took place in the aftermath of a clash between the police and Pakatan supporters who had earlier blocked the road leading to Istana Iskandariah, the venue for the ceremony today.

Zambry received his letter of appointment from the sultan and then took his oath of office.

The ceremony was over by 4.15pm.

The state exco will be sowrn in next Tuesday at 10am.

Zambry is a second-term Pangkor assemblyman.

According to a Bernama report Zambry started his political career as Pangkor Umno Youth chief in 1992 and went on to head Perak Umno Youth. He is now the Lumut Umno division chief.

He is credited for developing the state's Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) development during his tenure as Perak State Executive Council (Exco) member tasked with multimedia.

During his tenure as a state exco, Zambry had served as chairman of education, human resources and multimedia committee from 2004 until Sept 26, 2006.

Then in a minor reshuffle, he became the chairman of higher education, science and technology and innovation committee and wielded with more authority to further develop ICT in Perak.

Active writer

He was born in Pulau Pangkor on March 22, 1962, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in economics from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1987 and four years later a Master's degree in Islamic thinking from the same university.

He has also obtained a Master's degree in political philosophy and religious comparison in 1992 and three years later a doctorate with distinction in contemporary politics from Temple University, United States.

He has also been described as an active writer who had authored several books and won several awards in writing competitions.

His books include Umno dan Jiwa Merdeka (1998), Pemuda Umno Menebus Maruah, Menuju Arah (2000) and Islam Malaysia & Amerika (2002).

He is married to Saripah Zulkifli, with five children - three girls and two boys. - Malaysiakini

Picture: Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah (left) handing the instrument of appointment to new Menteri Besar , Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir in a swearing-in ceremony at Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan.