KUALA LUMPUR: Former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa died at a hospital in Dublin, Ireland today. He was 66.
This was confirmed by his successor Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali in a statement today.
"On behalf of members of the civil service in Malaysia, I would like to extend our condolences to the family of Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa who has returned to rahmatullah today on April 21 at Dublin Hospital in Ireland.
"The 13th chief secretary to the government was an icon in the country's public service," Mohd Zuki said in a statement.
Born in Kluang, Johor, Ali joined the Administrative and Diplomatic Services in 1981.
Mohd Zuki said throughout his tenure in the public services, Ali served several departments and ministries including the International Trade and Industry Ministry, Transport Ministry, Economic Planning Unit, the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan), Public Services Department, Public-Private Partnership Unit as well as the Prime Minister's Department.
Ali had sworn in as the chief secretary to the government on June 23, 2012 and served the role until Aug 30, 2018.
"His passing in the holiest months of Ramadan is a big loss to the nation and the public service. May his soul rest among the righteous," said Mohd Zuki.