Hashim Paijan is new State Secretary effective July 9
KOTA KINABALU: The permanent secretary to the Ministry of Industrial Development Datuk Hashim Paijan has been appointed as the new state secretary with effect from July 9, replacing Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
Sukarti, who has held the post for 11 years, is retiring from the civil service effective July 8.
The handing-over of duties ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who urged members of the civil service to render their cooperation to the State Secretary of the newly formed Warisan-led state administration.
Shafie said civil servants should emulate Sukarti's loyalty to the government of the day.
He said although Sukarti was appointed to head the state civil service during the previous government, that is, under the former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, yet the SS had demonstrated his commitment as a civil servant under the new government in a professional manner.
“Tan Sri Sukarti is the best example in the state civil service. He respects and is loyal to the government and this is crucial in the interest of the state and people,” he said at the ceremony to present the handing over note and appointment letter of the new SS yesterday.
"On behalf of the state government I would like to extend millions of thanks to Tan Sri Sukarti who has contributed enormously to the community. We thank him for his enormous contribution to the state," he added.
Hashim, 59, who hails from Kota Marudu, has served in various local authorities, namely the Labuan Municipal Council, Membakut Sub-District, Tawau Municipal Council and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Earlier on the same day, Sukarti paid a farewell courtesy call on the Head of State Tun Haji Dr Juhar Mahiruddin at the Istana Negeri here, informing the latter of his retirement from the civil service.
Sukarti urged members of the civil service to cooperate with the new state administration to ensure the continuity in providing excellent services to the people.
He said such cooperation would enable the state administrative affairs to be implemented more effectively.
Sukarti has been holding the state secretary's post for 11 years.
Sukarti joined the state civil service as a labour officer in the Ministry of Manpower and Environment on July 15, 1977 until his promotion as an Administrative Officer in the same ministry in 1980.
He has held the post of permanent secretary in three ministries, namely the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (from May 1994), Ministry of Rural Development (from May 16, 1996) and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (from January 2000).
In addition, he was also the director of the Sabah State Civil Service from April 24, 2000 before his promotion as the 8th Sabah State Secretary, replacing Datuk K.Y. Mustafa on July 3, 2007.