Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today received a courtesy visit from the new Chief Secretary to the Government, Mohd Zuki Ali, and his predecessor  Ismail Bakar.

In the meeting held at the Perdana Leadership Foundation office in Putrajaya, Mahathir handed over the letter of appointment to Mohd Zuki (photo).

At the event, Ismail also handed over his duties to Mohd Zuki. His appointment is effective from Jan 1, taking over from Ismail who will be on leave before mandatory retirement.

Later, Mohd Zuki told reporters that the prime minister expressed hope that civil servants would continue to be respected.

At the same time, he said, civil servants must ensure that they are respected, and for this, they have to respect the regulations, procedures and stakeholders in their departments and agencies.

“I hope that civil servants will continue to be prepared to face any situation, and what is most important is that they abide by the civil service oath and Rukun Negara," he said.

Mohd Zuki, 58, also expressed his gratitude to the prime minister said he would carry out his duties to the best of his abilities.

Mohd Zuki holds a Masters Degree in Business Management from Nanyang University, Singapore and he served in the civil service for 28 years.

Before this latest appointment, Mohd Zuki was the Defence Ministry’s secretary-general.

He has also served in the finance, education, rural and regional development, home, and natural resources and environment ministries.

He was also previously attached to Istana Negara, the Prime Minister’s Department, and has been the Sarawak federal secretary. — Bernama