GMM appoints Saifuddin as its new chief executive

PETALING JAYA: Former Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has been appointed as the new CEO of Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMM).

“Known for his progressive views on politics and outspoken in his desire to effect change, Datuk Saifuddin’s track record in advocating for democratic reform and championing youth empowerment, as well as his long history of service in civil society made him uniquely suited to lead the foundation and help forward its agenda for moderation,” said GMM chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail in a statement.

Saifuddin, who is also an Umno supreme council member, had served as the Temerloh MP between 2008 and 2013.

Previously, he was the Malaysian Youth Council president, member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Youth Employment and consultant of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Saifuddin is a prolific writer, and his experience includes writing columns in local dailies and online news portals. He is also the resident analyst in Sudut Pandang on Astro Awani.

He has published six books, one of which, New Politics (2008), is a best-seller. His writings focus on the new direction of politics in Malaysia and the importance of engaging and including youth in the nation’s development.