KUALA LUMPUR: Former Chief Secretary to the Government, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid died at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM) Cheras, here, at 1.40am today.
He was 82.
His family confirmed this in a short statement, according to Bernama.
The family said matters pertaining to the funeral arrangement would be notified later.
"Further information will be announced later. Al-Fatihah," the statement said.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said Ahmad Sarji's passing was a great loss to the nation.
Ahmad Sarji was Chief Secretary to the Government from 1990 to 1996 during the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He had also been chairman of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM).
A statement from IKIM's corporate relations unit said Ahmad Sarji had been receiving treatment for Covid-19 complications at the hospital's intensive care unit since July 31.
IKIM said he was expected to be buried at about 11am today at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery, according to a report in Bernama.
"Born on Sept 16, 1938, Ahmad Sarji was founder and IKIM's first chairman in 1992, until former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took the post from Sept 1, 2015, to Aug 31, 2018.
"On Feb 4, 2019, Ahmad Sarji was reappointed as IKIM chairman and Tan Sri Sheikh Ghazali Abdul Rahman was deputy chairman.
"Ahmad Sarji's appointment had strengthened IKIM's performance in achieving its mission and vision of being the leading institution for Islamic understanding of international standing by conducting highly beneficial research programs, increase the true understanding of Islam to various levels of society within and outside the country, as well as provide consulting services to all parties through its media and educational channels."