| Kuala Lumpur has threatened to push the selection of the next secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference to a vote for the first time in the organisationâs 35-year history. âThis (vote) may be the only avenue available if Bangladesh and Turkey, who are also vying for the post, do not agree to a compromise,â Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying by diplomatic sources in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh is a serious candidate for the same post. The prime ministerâs parliamentary affairs adviser Salauddin Quader Chowdhury has been nominated for the post. Some 35 OIC member countries have expressed their support for Bangladeshâs candidature. The latest country to back Dhakaâs bid is Djibouti. The commitment of unequivocal support has been conveyed in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by president of Djibouti Ismael Omar Guelleh. In his letter, President Guelleh said the Bangladesh candidate possesses the leadership qualities and the negotiating skills that are required to make the OIC more effective to advance the interests of the Islamic Ummah, Foreign Ministry officials said in Dhaka. |