DPM: Having PM as acting education minister shows how important it is

KUALA LUMPUR: Having the Prime Minister as interim Education Minister shows how important the portfolio is, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic).

“When the Cabinet decided that the Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) will hold the post, it just shows how important education is for the new government,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after distributing aid to some primary Islamic schools in the Pandan constituency on Monday (Jan 13).

Dr Wan Azizah said this when asked to comment on Dr Mahathir’s appointment as acting Education Minister.

The Pakatan Harapan manifesto Promise 12 had stated that the Prime Minister would not simultaneously hold other ministerial posts, especially the post of Finance Minister.

Dr Wan Azizah said the appointment of Dr Mahathir was merely an interim measure, and thus temporary.

Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik had resigned from the post on Jan 2 following advice from the Prime Minister.

His resignation took effect the next day, on Jan 3.

Maszlee, who is Simpang Renggam MP, was appointed minister in May 2018.

His appointment came after some backlash when Dr Mahathir, in naming his Cabinet in the wake of Pakatan wresting Putrajaya in the 14^th General Election, had first named himself as education minister.