Yunus Rules Out Contesting Bangladesh Election, Focuses On Reforms
By Voon Miaw Ping and Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, reaffirmed he has no intention to enter active politics or contest in the country's upcoming general elections set for February next year.
'No, I'm not the person who has any chance of joining politics,' the Nobel Peace Prize laureate told Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in an exclusive interview during his official visit to Malaysia earlier this week.
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In a conversation on a wide range of issues with Bernama's Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, Editor of International News Service Voon Miaw Ping, and Assistant Editor of Economic News Service Kisho Kumari Sucedaram, Yunus reflected on the responsibility entrusted to him in the efforts to restore and rebuild Bangladesh.
He said his immediate focus revolves around steering the interim administration to bring about its reform agenda.
The world-renowned economist and social entrepreneur was hand-picked by Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin to lead the transitional government on Aug 8, 2024, in the aftermath of the youth-led uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ended her 15-year authoritarian rule.
'We have come a long way within a year. We just completed our first year in August, and we have achieved a lot,' Yunus said.
Among the key progresses, he said, was the formation of the Consensus Building Commission, which is based on the findings of the 11 reform commissions.
Its work on election reforms is expected to conclude with a final report by the end of the month, marking a major step towards building a more inclusive, participatory, and credible electoral system.
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