Malaysia to contest for executive board seat in Unesco

Malaysia will be vying for a seat in the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) for the 2015-2019 term, local media reported here on Sunday. Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysian deputy prime minister, said this followed the greenlight given by the cabinet on Oct. 25 to a proposal by the Education Ministry. "Since we became a member of Unesco in 1958, we have sat in the board for five times and during our tenure as (a board) member, we were actively involved in formulating policies and studying the effectiveness of programs as well as Unesco activities, especially in science, culture, social science, communications and information," he told local reporters. He said it was also the best platform for Malaysia to share its views and practices with other Unesco members besides ensuring the interest and stand of Malaysia was heard at international level. Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco permanent sub-committee chaired by him had drafted several strategies to obtain the support of Unesco member countries.