Ali Hamsa is new CAPAM president

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa has been unanimously elected President of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) for the 2014-2016 term.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government's Office, Ali's appointment was made at the CAPAM Members' General Meeting which was held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here Saturday, to appoint the association's new leadership and members of its board of directors.

It said the appointment was an honour and also manifestation of the trust that CAPAM and Commonwealth countries had on Ali, who was formerly CAPAM vice-president.

It was also in line with the effort to take CAPAM to greater heights, especially in promoting good governance among Commonwealth member countries.

Besides, the appointment was also a form of recognition given by CAPAM and Commonwealth countries to Malaysia's National Transformation Agenda and the success of the Government Transformation Programme, as well as the concept of 'Humanising the Public Service', translated through an efficient and dynamic Malaysian public service.

According to the statement, the success was due to Malaysia's effort and roles played as the pioneer country in the formation of CAPAM in 1994.

Since CAPAM's establishment, Malaysia had played an important role and contributed to its activities and development, especially in the fields of administration and management.

Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid had once held the post of CAPAM president from 1996 to 1998.

On Sunday, the CAPAM biennial conference will begin and last until Oct 21 at the PICC with the theme, 'Public Service Transformation: A New Conversation'.

Approximately, 1,000 participants from 53 Commonwealth countries and international organisations, such as the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are attending the conference.

Ali is scheduled to chair the CAPAM Board of Directors Meeting at the same venue on Monday.

Ali, 59, who was appointed Chief Secretary to the Government in June 2012, joined the civil service in 1981 and has served in various capacities before being appointed Director-General of the Public-Private Partnership Unit in the Prime Minister's Department in April 2009.

He is also Chair of the Malaysian Integrity Institute, Co-Chair of the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) and Deputy Chairman of Johor Corporation.

He also spearheads the National Blue Ocean Strategy initiatives, a multi-ministry and multi-agency collaborative effort, in line with the national transformation agenda.

Ali, who was born in Kluang, Johor, obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Universiti Malaya before furthering his studies at the Oklahoma State University, United States where he obtained a Masters in Economics in 1986, followed by a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Economics in 1997.