Rais says goodbye with 40-page booklet

KUALA KELAWANG: Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim(pic) made his parting gift to the Jelebu Umno division in the form of a 40-page booklet on his political struggle that began in the late 1960s.

Titled Pusaka Bergilir Zaman Beredar (1966-2013), the booklet documented his different roles in national and international politics in keeping up with the changing political trends.

More than 400 copies were distributed to the assembly delegates of the division, where Dr Rais first held the post of division chief in 1977.

The only time he did not hold the post were the years between 1990 and 2000, when he was with the Umno splinter group, Semangat Melayu 46.

The former Jelebu MP and former Information, Communications and Culture Minister did not seek re-election at the just-concluded division election.

Dr Rais, 71, said the book was circulated to members of the Jelebu Umno division to mark his last meeting with them as division head yesterday.

He said in the 47 years that he had been in politics, he had faced many challenges and had served under five prime ministers.

“Thus, it is time for me to say farewell to politics and to pave the way for younger leaders,” he said. — Bernama