Speaker post: Rais makes light of speculations

BANGI: Former socio-cultural adviser to the government Tan Sri Rais Yatim today made light of speculation that he could be the next Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
"I don't mind the speculations. Let's just wait if it amounts to anything," he told reporters after attending a panel at the 46th 'Bicara Persada' held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) chancellery, here today.
However, the former cabinet minister said no one had officially contacted him on the matter.
"This is the first time I've heard about it. People are simply flying kites; I haven't been contacted officially," he said.
Besides Rais, another name that has been floated is that of former Selangor State Legislative Assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh.
On another issue about media statements being issued in Mandarin by the Finance Ministry, Rais opined that it was not appropriate.
"Our national language is Bahasa Melayu and this has never happened before. I was in the government for more than 40 years and no other language other than the national language and English had been allowed under the parliamentary procedures," he said.
In this regard, he hoped media statements issued in languages other than Bahasa Melayu and English would cease. — Bernama