High-ranking govt officials urged to write books on their experiences

High-ranking government officials are urged to write a book or more on their life and civil service experiences to be read and referred to by future generations, particularly the young officers.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali (above) said currently, there was still the lack of civil service officials writing their autobiographies or memoirs in comparison to the number of high-ranking officers in the public service sector at any one time.

"Meanwhile, I myself have started the process of writing my biography including my experiences in public service.

"This book will tell some unique stories, especially my experiences as chief secretary to the government in steering the public service, particularly in facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the tense moments of the country’s leadership change and the political conflict, resulting in the country’s administration coming under the leadership of three different prime ministers since the 2018 General Election, the critical moments during the proclamation of emergency and so on.”

Zuki said this when launching the biography book titled "Dzulkifli Abdul Razak dan Percambahan Konsep Pengajian Tingginya" (Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and the Proliferation of His High Education Concept) written by National Laureate, Prof Emeritus Muhammad Salleh, at the Main Hall, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) in Kuala Lumpur today.

The 251-page book, published by IIUM Press, records the thoughts of Prof Emeritus Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, who is now the UIAM rector.

Zuki said the writing of memoirs among the civil servants in this country was started by the British colonial officers and then continued by some of the senior government ministers, diplomatic and administrative officers, diplomats and state-level administrative officers.

"For example, the late Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, a former chief secretary to the government, had written a lot on his experiences through his memoirs such as Pinnacles of Triumph: Tun Ahmad Sarji Memoirs, Given in Trust: Tun Ahmad Sarji Memoirs, The Remembered, Preserved and Imagined Past - My Heritage Memoirs, and Lawn Bowls in Malaysia: The President's Memoir.

"The book launched today is about Dzulkifli’s experiences and struggles which can serve as a useful guide for the leaders in public service,” he added.

Zuki also said that the young should be reading biographies, autobiographies, memoirs and travelogues as these genres could give them a lot of guidance and valuable lessons.

"The writer of a memoir or autobiography usually has an interesting story to tell on his/her experiences, challenges and difficulties experienced in his/her own life. We will also be made to realise how others had struggled and moved forward in their own lives.

“Biographies too help us gain views on how people managed to overcome their crises and solve complex problems. They invite us into their lives, enabling us to see how they had struggled with the challenges and made important decisions, eventually having a better understanding and helping them make better decisions," he added.

- Bernama