It is great to note that our proposal for the government to nominate a Malaysian for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general has been picked up by parliamentarians. The issue was raised in Parliament earlier this week. The parliamentary Order Paper for April 9 lists YB Lim Kit Siang's question as thus:

'Tuan Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs to state whether the government will campaign for the appointment of a Malaysian candidate for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general when it falls vacant at the end of the year, such as Tun Musa Hitam'.

In January this year, I made a statement urging the Malaysian government to make a nomination, and I also suggested that Musa Hitam would be an ideal candidate. Having a Malaysian heading a major international organisation would bring great benefits to our country, particularly as we are celebrating 50 years of independence, as well as 50 years of us joining the Commonwealth.

We will have a better opportunity to promote our nation, the interest of developing countries, as well as the interest of Muslim countries. As a fast-developing country in Southeast Asia, we will also have the opportunity to be the voice of the region.

Discussions with colleagues in London suggest that Malaysia does have a good chance of winning. The only other country that can put a strong enough candidate is India. However, after their unsuccessful campaign to win the UN secretary-general's post, they may reconsider if Malaysia puts up a strong candidate.

I am delighted that, in responding to Kit Siang's question, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the government is looking into the matter. Syed Hamid also suggested that Musa has been asked but he is not keen about it. Musa's reluctance is understandable. The role is a taxing one.

Unofficial estimate suggests that the Commonwealth secretary-general spends the majority of his time travelling around the world. Musa is a respected statesman in the Commonwealth circle and he is already playing various important roles at Commonwealth level. He may not want to overstretch his commitments.

Our government should be more creative in looking for a candidate. It would be even better if the candidate is a Muslim woman. This would give us two advantages that not many countries can offer. Firstly, Malaysia is a fast developing country that adheres to a moderate interpretation of Islam. At a time when the world is faced with serious extremism problems, we can share with the world our experience in building a prosperous and peaceful nation with Islam as the official religion.

Secondly, the Commonwealth is committed to creating a world in which women and men have equal rights and opportunities in all stages. To have a woman at the helm of a major international organisation is a big leap forward for the noble Commonwealth agenda, and this can be a major lobbying issue.

Syed Hamid's answer in Parliament this week is a good start. However, time is quickly running out. The candidate must be named very soon and it would be too late if we do not come out with a candidate by the end of this month. We must give enough time for the candidate to tour Commonwealth countries to lobby for votes.

If we are slow at making the decision, another country like India, may well take the first step and we will have to wait another eight long years before the opportunity comes again.

The writer is director-general, Malaysia Think Tank London.