Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar congratulated her on her appointment and expressed confidence in her competence and experience.

“She can drive excellence across the ministry’s initiatives in economic development and boost rural well-being through the public service reform agenda to achieve the Malaysia Madani goals,” he said.

Shamsul Azri said Suriani, 58, holds a bachelor of communication (Hons) from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a master of arts in strategy and diplomacy from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

He said Suriani brings extensive experience in government administration, public policy, and international relations.

She previously served as secretary-general in the women, family and community development ministry, the communications and multimedia ministry, the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry, and the health ministry.