Former Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long named Tokoh Maulidur Rasul for 34 years of dedicated civil service and community service
NIBONG TEBAL: Former Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long, 60, has been named the Penang State-level “Tokoh Maulidur Rasul” in recognition of his 34 years of service in the civil service.
Zulkifli said one of the principles he upheld throughout his career was to always consider how he could make life easier for the community.
“When waking up in the morning, think about what we can do to make things easier for the community,” he said, adding that he often shared the principle with officers under his supervision during his tenure as an administrator.
“Although I am no longer in service, Insya Allah, if colleagues need assistance, I will try to offer my views to the best of my ability, drawing on my nearly 34 years of experience in Penang,” he told reporters after the Penang State-level Maulidur Rasul celebration (1448H/2026M) at the Selatan Seberang Perai District Mosque here today.
Zulkifli received a certificate of appreciation, plaque, gift and RM7,000 cash prize presented by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
The father of two described the award as an unexpected honour and blessing following his retirement, saying he had simply sought to fulfil his responsibilities to the best of his ability throughout his career.
On his retirement plans, Zulkifli said he intended to rest and spend more time with his wife and children after dedicating much of his life to his career.
“I have not thought about what I will do next. For now, I want to enjoy this period of rest with my family before making any new plans,” he said.
A native of Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai Utara, Zulkifli joined the civil service in June 1992 at the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and was directly involved in establishing the Zakat Management Centre in 1994, now known as Zakat MAINPP.
He subsequently held various positions, including District Officer for Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tenag and Timur Laut, Director of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP); Director of the Land and Mines Office (PTG); Director of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department in Penang; and Penang State Secretary, a position he assumed in September 2025.
Three other individuals received awards in their respective categories. One of them, RCAB Food Venture Sdn Bhd managing director Rohaya Che Abu Bakar, received the Qudwatur Rasul Award for Entrepreneur.
The other two are Judicial Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Datuk Muhammad Adam Abdullah, who received the Qudwatur Rasul Award for “Saudara Kita”, and Penang State Mufti Department Chief Officer (Researcher) Mohd Salmi Shaimi, who received the Qudwatur Rasul Award for the Special Category.
