Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman retained his post as president of the Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) for the 2017-2020 term uncontested at the 14th general assembly of the council here today.

Former chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, who garnered 84 votes, was named the new deputy president after defeating incumbent Tan Sri Yazid Baba, who only managed to secure 48 votes.

Abdul Rahman is also former Parit Buntar Member of Parliament.

Another candidate for the post, Tan Sri Abu Hassan Omar, who is former Selangor Menteri Besar, withdrew from the contest at the last minute.

Chairman of the Independent Election Committee Datuk Romainor Ali announced former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Osman Aroff, former Minister of National Unity and Social Development Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail and former Melaka State Assembly Speaker Datuk Wira Jaafar Lajis, as the council's vice-presidents for the new term.

Datuk Bahari Taib and Datuk Mohd Yusup Latib, retained the posts of Mubarak's permanent chairman and deputy permanent chairman, respectively.

The council's assembly today also passed several motions including to call on the government to take immediate initiative to institutionalise the Rukunegara to enable the people from all walks of life to understand, appreciate and put into practice the principles of Rukunegara in their daily lives.

Mubarak also proposed for the subject of Rukunegara to be introduced in school curriculum right up to the tertiary level, besides setting up a special ministry, institute or secretariat to regulate and implement the tasks.

The Council also called on the government to look seriously into the possibility to abolish all race-based policies, systems, programmes and activities.

The assembly also agreed to urge the Ministry of Youth and Sports to take into consideration and insert the elements in the National Transformation (TN50) initiatives.

-- BERNAMA