A New Chapter, An Old Promise: Rotary Club of Penang Installs 96th President and Board for a Year of "Lasting Impact"
On Friday, 14 August 2026, we marked our 96th Presidential Installation Night at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, installing Rtn. Michel Van Crombrugge as our 96th President together with the full 2026–2027 Board of Directors and formally opening the new Rotary year. Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow was among the guests of honour, alongside his spouse Mdm Tan Lean Kee, Penang Island City Council Mayor YBhg. Dato' Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony and his spouse Datin Deevika Thiagarajan, District Governor Rtn. Rajj Melambaran, and Past District Governors, Past Presidents, corporate partners and community leaders from across the state.
[PHOTO: President Michel Van Crombrugge and the incoming Board of Directors being installed on stage]
Nine Decades of Trust
Founded in 1930 as one of the first Rotary clubs on the peninsula, ours is now in its 96th year of service to Penang — and in his remarks, Chow made a point of tying that history to the state's own ambitions. Speaking to the Penang2030 Vision of "A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation," and to 2026's focus on the Livelihood Economy, he told the room: "Building on Penang's communal strength of working together towards common goals... I am heartened that Rotary has long been one of our most trusted allies." On Rotary International's 2026–2027 theme, Create Lasting Impact, Chow added that lasting change is measured by "the difference we make in people's lives, by the partnerships we build" — a fitting frame for a club whose president-elect, Michel Van Crombrugge, also serves as Belgium's honorary consul in Penang.
Introducing the 2026–2027 Board of Directors
President Michel wasn't installed alone that evening — the full slate of directors and chairs who will lead our service, membership and fellowship work through the year ahead was installed alongside him:
President: Michel Van Crombrugge
President-Elect / Youth Service Chair: Dr James Beh
Immediate Past President: R. Chandra Segar
Vice President: Tan Boon Hoe
Hon. Secretary: Dr Amreet Singh Gill
Hon. Treasurer: Ryan Khaw Guo Zhu
Service Projects: Carson Toh
Membership Development Chair / Sergeant-at-Arms: Kalidassen Balasubramaniam
Rotary Foundation Chair: Dr Jeyalakshmi Ratnavale
Vocational Service Chair: Dato' Seri Ramanathan
Public Image Chair: Petri Karjalainen
Club Administration: Eric Ong
International Service Chair: Stephanie Wong
Club Advisor 1 / Senior Service Chair: Dato' Dr Ranjit Singh
Club Advisor 2: Ian Ong Kok Eng
Strategy / Planning Chair: Dato' Seri Chet Singh
A Year Worth Celebrating
Before passing the gavel, outgoing President Chandra Segar looked back on a year that reached deep into the community: 500 pairs of free prescription spectacles for students across 20 schools, leadership training for Interactors from 9 schools, the launch of the End Polio Now billboard in Lebuh Acheh, a Charity Fun Walk with a bikers' convoy, a free medical camp screening for CKD, diabetes and hypertension, and a Charity Food Fair supporting the Penang Crystal Family Home. The Jejak Itam 2026 resilience programme reached a further 400 students, teachers and education officers through an edutainment screening of Itam: A Sun Bear Story, while fellowship activities — luncheons for 250 senior citizens, Penang Goes Orange, International Women's Day and major festival celebrations — kept members and partner clubs close throughout the year. "Our projects have strengthened communities, supported families, and created opportunities for youth," Chandra said, crediting the year's results to partnership as much as effort.
[PHOTO: Guests at the 96th Presidential Installation Night, Eastern & Oriental Hotel]
Recognising Those Who Serve Alongside Us
One of the evening's highlights was the presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition — one of Rotary International's highest honours — to two individuals whose work has quietly supported our own: Mayor Rajendran P. Anthony, and Encik Mohd Sukri Idris, Assistant Director of Student Affairs at the Penang State Education Department. Named for Rotary's founder, the recognition is reserved for people whose lives reflect Service Above Self, integrity and commitment to community — exactly the qualities that have made both men steady partners in our schools and civic projects.
What Comes Next
In his inaugural address, President Michel was clear that a new president inherits a responsibility, not a blank page. "For almost 96 years, generations of Rotarians have served the people of Penang with compassion, integrity and friendship. Tonight, we have the privilege of continuing that journey together," he said. That continuity means staying the course on our flagship healthcare projects — the JHM Rotary Kidney Dialysis Centre, Gift of Life and Gift of Sight — and deepening our Interact and Rotaract youth leadership programmes. It also means reviving something older: President Michel announced our intention to revitalise the club's long-standing Home Nursing initiative, first pioneered by Past District Governor Bill Ng, working with Penang Adventist Hospital and government partners to build a sustainable programme of professional nursing care for patients who can't otherwise access or afford it at home.
Closing the night, President Michel reminded the room that none of this is a solo effort. "None of this can be achieved by one person. It will take all of us — working together in friendship and service — to create the lasting impact our community deserves," he said, inviting organisations, institutions and community members to join us in the year ahead.
Installation at a glance
Occasion: 96th Presidential Installation Night, Rotary Club of Penang
Date & venue: Friday, 14 August 2026 — Eastern & Oriental Hotel, George Town
Incoming president: Rtn. Michel Van Crombrugge (Belgium's honorary consul in Penang), succeeding Immediate Past President Rtn. R. Chandra Segar
2026–2027 Board of Directors: Michel Van Crombrugge (President), Dr James Beh (President-Elect/Youth Service), R. Chandra Segar (Immediate Past President), Tan Boon Hoe (Vice President), Dr Amreet Singh Gill (Hon. Secretary), Ryan Khaw Guo Zhu (Hon. Treasurer), Carson Toh (Service Projects), Kalidassen Balasubramaniam (Membership Development/Sergeant-at-Arms), Dr Jeyalakshmi Ratnavale (Rotary Foundation), Dato' Seri Ramanathan (Vocational Service), Petri Karjalainen (Public Image), Eric Ong (Club Administration), Stephanie Wong (International Service), Dato' Dr Ranjit Singh (Club Advisor 1/Senior Service), Ian Ong Kok Eng (Club Advisor 2), Dato' Seri Chet Singh (Strategy/Planning)
Rotary International theme, 2026–2027: Create Lasting Impact
Guest of honour: YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang
Paul Harris Fellow recipients: YBhg. Dato' Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony, Mayor of Penang Island; Encik Mohd Sukri Idris, Penang State Education Department
Looking ahead: Continued support for the JHM Rotary Kidney Dialysis Centre, Gift of Life and Gift of Sight, plus a planned revival of the club's Home Nursing initiative with Penang Adventist Hospital
Impact: A 96-year-old club renewing its leadership while reaffirming both its flagship healthcare and youth programmes and its ties to Penang's state government
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