Dr M steps back from being new Education Minister

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has stepped back from his intention to become the new Education Minister today, to abide by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto.

He said in a video published on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Facebook page, “That is the position of the manifesto and I cannot break it at the moment ..(unless) of course, there is a demand that I should take education.” 

The Pakatan manifesto had promised that the Prime Minister would not take on other ministerial posts, especially that of Finance Minister.

In the list of Cabinet Ministers released today, the new Education Minister is International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer and terrorism researcher Dr Maszlee Malik.

Maszlee Malik, the Simpang Renggam MP, joined Pribumi in March, and sold gold and silver political memorabilia to help fund his election campaign.

DAP Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming gave positive comments on Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik.

"He is an intelligent, thoughtful and capable person. He is the only Cabinet member with a Routledge published book (on Islamic governance)," said Ong on his Twitter page.

Ong said that he has known Dr Maszlee for a few years and has had many conversations with him on public policy matters and waste management.

"He is the only professor in Malaysia I know of who can engage in matters of philosophy, political science and Islam. His ideas are wide ranging and progressive," he said.

"He has consistently written and spoken up on the importance of public policy in Islam. He is open to engagement and dialogue. I'm sure he will bring this openness to his portfolio," said Ong.