KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in the United Kingdom has paid tribute to Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, the former chief secretary to the government, who died on Saturday (Aug 28) at age 82.

       In a statement, its director Dr Farhan Nizami said Ahmad Sarji would always be remembered for his encouragement and support of the centre's work.

       “We have been fortunate to have had him as a member of our board of trustees for over two decades.

       “He served with great distinction and commitment and his wise counsel will be sorely missed,” said Dr Farhan, adding that the centre took the news of Ahmad Sarji's passing with great shock and sorrow.

       The centre was founded in 1985 to promote a multidisciplinary culture and research which address the needs of contemporary Muslim societies.

       It operates under the patronage of the Prince of Wales and was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

       It provides facilities and a meeting place in Oxford for scholars from around the world and promotes dialogue between different cultures and academic traditions.

       Datuk Dr Afifi al-Akiti, a Fellow at the centre and lecturer on Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford, said Ahmad Sarji's apolitical attitude and graceful manners should be emulated by the present generation, especially civil servants.

       He said Ahmad Sarji's firmness in discharging his duties as chief secretary to the government had earned him respect among civil servants and politicians.

       “From my observation and experience working with him, Tun was a role model and did not side with any political parties,” Dr Afifi told news channel Astro AWANI in an interview from Oxford.

       On Aug 7, Ahmad Sarji was admitted to the intensive care unit due to complications from Covid-19.

       He was admitted to the Hospital Cancelor Tuanku Muhriz (UKM) in Cheras.

       Ahmad Sarji was chief secretary to the government from 1990 to 1996 during the administration of Malaysia's fourth prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

       After retiring, he was appointed chairman of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) and chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).