Rais Yatim
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| Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim |
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Malaysian Minister of Information, Communications and Culture
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| Assumed office 10 April 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Information) Shafie Apdal (Culture) |
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Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs
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| In office 18 March 2008 – 9 April 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Syed Hamid Albar |
| Succeeded by | Anifah Aman |
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| Assumed office 1999 |
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| Born | 15 April 1942 (age 67) Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan |
| Political party |  UMNO part of Barisan Nasional |
| Spouse(s) | Masnah Rais |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament Minister |
| Religion | Islam |
Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim (born 15 April 1942) is the current Malaysian Information, Communications, and Culture Minister. His ministry is considered a new ministry formed from the merger of three separate ministries in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's smaller cabinet.
He is also a Member of Parliament from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the leading party in the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional.
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[edit] Education and legal career
Rais was born in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. He is a lawyer by profession. In 1964, he graduated from Language Institute, Kuala Lumpur. In 1968, he taught Bahasa Malaysia to the American Peace Corps in the United States. He obtained his honors degree from National University of Singapore. In 1994, he obtained a PhD from King's College London. His doctoral dissertation was eventually published in 1995 as Freedom Under Executive Power in Malaysia: A Study of Executive Supremacy.[1]
[edit] Political career
Rais has held various positions in the national cabinet and other state government positions. He had been appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan (1978 - 1982), Minister of Land and Regional Development (1982-1984), Minister of Information (1984-1986) and Foreign Minister (1986-1987). When he was out of favour within the UMNO leadership, he resumed his law career. Rais worked with a firm called Raim, Rais & Partner (1987-1999) before being reappointed as cabinet minister in 1999. Rais rejoin as Foreign Minister on March 18, 2008 until April 9, 2009.
In June 2007, Rais was nominated as a candidate for the post of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General after Don McKinnon's term in office ends in March 2008. However, he pulled out on July 26, citing the lateness of campaigning, and his duties and commitments as the Main Committee of the upcoming 50th Merdeka celebrations, which limited him from traveling out of the country to lobby for his candidacy.[2]
Although being the current Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, his demeanor has been widely criticized as both arrogant and pompous. One instance of his attitude was recorded on video and uploaded on YouTube.[3]
[edit] Personal life
Rais Yatim is married to Datin Seri Utama Masnah Rais and has four children. His hobbies are photography and travelling. He is also a writer on the subjects of law, politics, and Malay society.
[edit] References
- ^ Yatim, Rais (1995). Freedom Under Executive Power in Malaysia: A Study of Executive Supremacy, p. xii. Endowment Publications. ISBN 983-99984-0-4.
- ^ "Rais Withdraws From Commonwealth Sec-Gen Race (mirrored)". Bernama/Diplomacy Monitor. 2007-07-28. http://diplomacymonitor.com/STU/dm.nsf/dn/dnEAD194B9CF224CED85257326002FE655. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Rais Yatim - I have changed my MODE". 2009-12-15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_87zEZFqk&feature=player_embedded. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
