Mukhriz denies speculation he will be the next Education Minister

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has denied speculation that he is in line to take over the education minister post vacated by Dr Maszlee Malik.

"No....There is a lot more work to be done in Kedah," the state Mentri Besar said when asked.

He added that he did not know how his name could have been linked with the post nor why unverified news of it went viral on social media.

"Many things go viral but I don't know – maybe some people have a lot of time to make posters, put in old pictures and make assumptions," he said in a press conference.

The video of the press conference was posted on YouTube.

Mukhriz said he had met Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir a day before Maszlee's resignation and the subject was not mentioned.

"I didn't know, so I never asked. He himself didn't say anything about it," said Mukhriz, who is also the son of Dr Mahathir.

However, he said it was the prerogative of the prime minister to choose the new education minister.

He said the Bersatu supreme council had not drawn up any list of candidates for the post.

"He will evaluate it himself and make the decision. The supreme council is ready to support whomever is chosen," he said.

Dr Mahathir had said he felt there were reasons why it was necessary for Maszlee to step down, and that it was his prerogative to decide on his replacement.