VERBAL CLASH OVER SACKINGS
Deputy education minister, opposition MP exchange words over govt’s move
AWAR of words erupted between an opposition lawmaker and the deputy education minister in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday over the recent “termination of service” of five public university chairmen.
Former higher education minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (Barisan Nasional-Besut) had sought confirmation from Teo Nie Ching if Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik had warned the affected chairmen beforehand.
When Teo said Maszlee had met vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors of institutions of higher learning on the fate of political appointees from BN, Idris demanded that she answered the question directly. “I am merely asking whether such a warning had been issued. Answer the question,” he cut her off mid-sentence.
A visibly annoyed Teo then told him that she could not provide an in-depth answer as she was not a party at the meeting.
Idris, still unhappy with the reply, then asked why was Teo answering the question instead of Maszlee, who had decided to leave the Dewan Rakyat session.
“Why did the minister (Maszlee) step out (of Dewan Rakyat)? Let someone who knows (about the matter) answer (the question),” he said.
“I am standing here, I can answer the question.
“The minister (Maszlee) has matters to attend to outside,” she replied.
“When I was in the opposition (before the 14th General Elections), I raised the issue (of political appointees in universities). Did any of the minister-then answer?” she countered, to resounding approval from Pakatan Harapan members of parliament.
Undeterred, Idris insinuated that Maszlee had stepped out to evade answering the question.
“Looks like the minister ran away.”
However, Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon restored order in the house and reminded Idris that Teo had answered the question.
News portal The Malaysian Insight had reported that five public universities chairmen had their services terminated for being political appointees of the previous BN government.
Maszlee reportedly said the removal of the five was made to replace the high-ranking officials with someone who could spur change alongside with the new government.
He said the move was to ensure the institutional reforms by PH would not be disrupted.
According to the online news portal, among those affected were Tun Zaki Azmi from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Tan Sri Sufri Mohd Zin from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Datuk Dr Kamaruddin Hussin from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Tan Sri Noorul Ainur Mohd Noor from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Tan Sri Anuwar Ali from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Their termination letters were issued on July 23 and were signed by Maszlee.
The online news portal claimed that another three chairmen from three other public universities would also be terminated soon.
Maszlee, however, refused to reveal the exact number of public universities chairmen to be terminated.