The passing of Malaysia’s 13th chief secretary to the government was confirmed by Zuki Ali, who is currently helming the post.

In a statement, Zuki said Ali died at a hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Ali served as chief secretary from June 2012 to August 2018.

Dubbed a major figure in the civil service by Zuki, Ali first joined the administrative and diplomatic service in 1981 and went on to serve in various departments and ministries.

This included the international trade and industry, and transport ministries, the economic planning unit, the national institute of public administration, the public service department, and the public-private partnership unit in the Prime Minister’s Department.

“His departure in this holy month of Ramadan is a big loss for the country and civil service,” said Zuki.

Ali was succeeded as chief secretary to the government by Ismail Bakar, who served in the post for more than a year before Zuki took over in January 2020.

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