KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The body of former chief secretary to the government Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid has been laid to rest at the Raudhatul Sakinah Bukit Kiara 2 Muslim Cemetery here at noon on Saturday (Aug 28).

       Ahmad Sarji passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning aged 82.

       His body arrived at the cemetery at about 11.45 am, accompanied by several close family members.

       Earlier, the remains of Ahmad Sarji was brought to Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara for prayers.

       After the burial, Ahmad Sarji’s youngest son, Ariff Tuah thanked all parties present at the burial of his father despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation. Ariff said that the family thanks all parties who conveyed their condolences to the family and prayed for his father, including the country's leaders He said his father was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for 21 days and was having breathing difficulties for four days before passing away.

       "I think he did very well, he survived for 20 days, he was a very strong person,” he said and added that his father had a history of diabetes and kidney problems.The burial was completed at about 12.30 pm under strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP).

       Ahmad Sarji, born on Sept 16, 1938, in Tapah, Perak and highly regarded and respected as a public administration figure, served as chief secretary to the government from 1990 to 1996 when the country was under the administration of the fourth prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

       He was also the founder of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim).- Bernama