SUNGAI PETANI, July 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is to make a decision on the announced withdrawal from contest for the Commonwealth secretary-general's post by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak said today Rais was nominated by the Malaysian government and the government had not altered its decision.
"I discussed the matter (of Rais' announced withdrawal from the contest) with the prime minister, and he will make an announcement on it," he told reporters after opening the Merbok Umno Division delegates conference here.
Rais had announced on Thursday that he had withdrawn from the contest for the post because his duties and commitment as chairman of the 50th National Day anniversary celebrations committee had deprived him of the opportunity to lobby for support overseas. He had also said that he had informed Najib and Wisma Putra of his decision.
The term of the current Commonwealth secretary-general, Don McKinnon, ends on March 31 2008. There is a general understanding that the next secretary-general should come from Asia.
The election of the new secretary-general is to be held at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala from Nov 23 to 25.
tunku: this is not a government job or government post so if the person had said that he witdraws then what's left for the pm to decide?may be they are not happy that they can't get rid of rais.
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