Maszlee likely to join PKR after a year as independent MP

JOHOR BARU: Former education minister Dr Mazlee Malik is expected to join PKR after a year as an independent MP and his withdrawal from Parti Pejuang Tanah Air.

Mazlee, who contested under Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in GE14, was seen in a poster wearing a PKR shirt accompanying party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at an event in Simpang Renggam.

A source said Maszlee is expected to join PKR in a special event with Anwar and top party leaders.

The source said nobody wants to be an independent candidate now, following losses for all independents in the Melaka State Election.

"Independents cannot go far without a political party in the peninsula," she said.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim confirmed that there would be an important announcement in Simpang Renggam on Saturday (Nov 27).

He said PKR would welcome someone who is vocal in Parliament and has a good educational background and an educationist.

He was, however, coy and declined to comment when asked if it was Dr Maszlee, saying: "Wait for the announcement tomorrow."

Dr Maszlee was among six MPs, including Dr Mahathir, who were sacked from Bersatu after a tussle with party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in May last year.

He later joined Parti Pejuang Tanah Air before leaving the party to be an independent MP in November last year.

During his tenure in government, Maszlee courted controversy over the introduction of Jawi in vernacular schools when Chinese education groups were against it.

The controversy led to hostility from Malay pressure groups, calling for vernacular schools to be shut down.

Maszlee stepped down as education minister on Jan 2 last year and his resignation took effect on Jan 3.

He was appointed to the post in May 2018.