Dr Maszlee is not 'preacher' in viral video

PETALING JAYA: A viral video of a preacher allegedly making racial comments is not Education Minister-designate Dr Maszlee Malik.

The video, which is also being circulated on messaging service WhatsApp, has urged the public to forward to as many people as possible before Dr Maszlee is sworn in as the Education Minister on Monday (May 21).

The preacher has been identified as Datuk Mohd Kazim Elias.

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang in his blog Sunday said the public should check the veracity of messages and video clips before they circulate them on social media.

Dr Maszlee was named by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the Education Minister.

However, Dr Maszlee's appointment has sparked debates about his experience and views, especially regarding his alleged support of controversial preacher Zakir Naik.

Previously, Dr Mahathir named himself as the Education Minister but had to relinquish the position as he had to abide by the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.

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

Dr Mahathir's decision also resulted in an online petition calling for him to be reinstated as the Education Minister.

The petition has since received over 74,000 signatures as of Sunday (May 20).