Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah hosted an inaugural luncheon for senior government officers at Istana Negara today.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, said the royal luncheon was an initiative taken by Sultan Abdullah to appreciate their services and to exchange views on current issues.

He said today's programme involved a first group of senior officers from the Prime Minister's Department, Public Service Department and Finance Ministry.

"The programme will be held every month to allow Sultan Abdullah to get to know all senior officers of government departments and agencies, and, more importantly, for His Majesty to exchange his views and ideas on current issues involving government departments and agencies concerned," he said.

According to Ahmad Fadil, senior officers from other government departments and agencies would be invited to the next monthly session. 

Through the event, Sultan Abdullah also had the opportunity to provide guidance and advice to assist and strengthen the government's delivery system and public services for the well-being of the people, including the implementation of national programmes such as the Visit Malaysia 2020 and Malaysia's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).

Among those present were Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, Prime Minister's Department senior deputy secretary-general Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, Public Service Department director-general Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman and Treasury secretary-general Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir.

Also present were deputy secretary-generals and deputy director-generals of the Prime Minister's Department, Public Service Department and Ministry of Finance.

Ahmad Fadil said His Majesty congratulated Mohd Zuki on his appointment as the new chief secretary to the government effective Jan 1.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the first anniversary of his swearing-in as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow, His Majesty also expressed his appreciation for the good cooperation given by government agencies and civil servants in conducting government functions and coordinating all government policies for the well-being of the people.

- Bernama