KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 ― Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail's tenure as Attorney-General ended yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa said today.

The chief secretary said Abdul Gani's tenure was officially ended on July 27 due to health reasons.

Taking his place will be Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, a former Federal Court judge.

Apandi's most prominent case was in 2013 when he lead a three-member Court of Appeal bench that ruled unanimously against allowing the Catholic Church to use the word “Allah” in its weekly publication the Herald.

Abdul Gani, however, will continue to serve as a judicial and legal services officer until October 6 this year, when he reaches his compulsory retirement age.

“Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has contributed greatly to the country over the time he has held the post of Attorney-General,” Ali Hamsa said in a statement.

“On behalf of the government I extend the highest appreciation and thanks over his service and hope he will he gains the best of health,” he added.

Prior to this, Abdul Gani was heading a multi-agency taskforce investigating claims of misappropriations of funds allegedly involving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad.