Kedah state financial officer Mohd Puat Mohd Ali, 59, has been appointed the new state secretary, effective Friday, to succeed Rasli Basir who has retired.  

Meanwhile, deputy state secretary (development) Khazali Din, 58, is to take over as the state financial officer.

The chairperson of the Kedah Council of Regency, Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah, handed over the instruments of appointment at the Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar today.

NONE The three other members of the council and Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir witnessed the ceremony.

Mohd Puat ( left ), who hails from Yan, started his career as a state administrative officer in 1978. He has held several positions, including assistant state secretary, deputy director of the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and chief executive officer of the Kedah Investment Centre.

He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Master of Public Administration (Finance and Policy Analysis) from the American University in the United States.

Khazali, who is from Jitra, joined the state administrative service in 1980 and has held various posts, including assistant state secretary, principal assistant director of UPEN and mayor of Alor Setar.

Mukhriz said it was hoped that the appointments of Mohd Puat and Khazali would help the state government to successfully implement numerous transformation programmes.

- Bernama