KUALA LUMPUR, July 4- Former Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim has been appointed as the sixth president of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), effective June 2.
He took over from Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan whose term of office ended on June 1, according to the IIUM Corporate Communications Division.
The appointment was made by the university’s constitutional head, the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, it said.
Rais is scheduled to have a special session with the media at the IIUM main campus in Gombak on Friday.
Rais, who is the former Member of Parliament for Jelebu, began his career in the government as a temporary teacher in 1961.
He entered politics in 1967 and held various positions in Umno, including as a member of the Supreme Council for the 2008/2011 term.
Rais was the menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan from 1978 to 1982 and has held various positions in the national cabinet, including as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Minister of Land and Regional Development, Minister of Information and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
– BERNAMA
