In a series of Twitter posts, Loke said Ali was the first chief secretary to the government to serve after Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government from Barisan Nasional following GE14.

The DAP secretary-general described him as “very professional and experienced”, recalling how Ali’s first directive after PH came to power was to declare May 10 and 11 as national public holidays.

“This was very important to stabilise things before the new government was formed and to ensure a peaceful transition of power.

“His contributions will be remembered and recorded as an important part of our history,” said the Seremban MP.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s aide, Adam Mukhriz Mohd Muhayeedin, also paid homage to Ali for helping ensure a smooth and peaceful change in administration in 2018.

“He helped a lot in easing the transition from a BN government to a PH government in 2018. Al-Fatihah,” he said in a Twitter post.

Chief secretary to the government Zuki Ali confirmed Ali’s passing today. Ali served as chief secretary from June 2012 to August 2018.

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.

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.