PUTRAJAYA: The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry (MPIC) bade farewell to its secretary-general, Datuk M. Nagarajan during a buka puasa do tonight.
Nagarajan, who has served the ministry for 11 years, took over the post from the late Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, who perished in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak last year.
The tragedy claimed the lives of six people, including the Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister, Datuk Noriah Kasnon.
Present at the send-off tonight was Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
"Nagarajan is the walking commodity dictionary," Mah said.
"This ministry is like a second home to him since he came on board as the Undersecretary for International Relations 11 years ago."
During his 11-year tenure, Nagarajan played an instrumental role in the setting up of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC).
He was also instrumental in foiling the French parliament's repeated attempts to increase taxes for palm oil shipped into France.
Singing praises of Nagarajan's skills and experiences, Mah said his retired sec-gen will continue to serve the ministry as his special advisor on campaigns to lobby for palm oil to the EU, US and other countries.