KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have expressed their condolences to the family of former chief secretary to the government Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid (pic), who died early Saturday (Aug 28).

       Their Majesties said they were saddened by his passing and hoped that his family would be patient and resolute in facing this situation.

       ”Their Majesties appreciate and praise highly his service, deeds and sacrifices to the country,” according to a statement posted on Istana Negara’s Facebook.

       Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah regarded Ahmad Sarji’s passing as a huge loss to the country.

       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