Maszlee says yet to decide on IIUM appointment
KUCHING: Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik says he has yet to decide whether to accept the appointment as International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) president.
Speaking to reporters here Friday, he said he needed to consider a few factors and consult some people such as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which is also part of the university’s governance practices before accepting the position.
His appointment as IIUM president has drawn criticisms from various quarters as some complained that there was ‘clear conflict of interest’ but Maszlee pointed out that he was also not in a position to determine anything regarding his appointment.
He however added that there is no conflict of interest as the administrative structure of IIUM is different from other public universities in Malaysia.
“Being an international university, the board members are made up of ambassadors and representatives of other countries and the president’s appointment must also go through the university’s constitutional head who is Sultan Ahmad Shah (of Pahang).
“It’s not easy for me to reject this post too as my appointment was consented to by IIUM constitutional head Sultan Ahmad Shah too. One of the things I have to do is that I have to meet him (the sultan) if I were to reject this appointment,” he said.
He also pointed out that if he becomes IIUM president, it will be good for the university as he would not be receiving any payment for his new role because he is the Minister of Education. Should Maszlee decides to accept the appointment, he would not be the first Minister of Education to hold the position too.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were IIUM presidents during their respective tenures as Minister of Education.
“Should anyone else instead of me, becomes the president, it would be a waste of taxpayer’s money as they will need to pay his or her salary and allowances. With me becoming IIUM president, the university can save up to half a million ringgit,” he said.
According to IIUM, Maszlee is the best candidate to become its president as he was former lecturer at IIUM and has extensive experience of the university’s environment as he used to head the university’s academic staff association.