IIUM: Dr Maszlee is perfect as president – and he’ll not be paid

PETALING JAYA: The International Islamic University has come out to defend the appointment of Dr Maszlee Malik as its seventh president.

IIUM, in a statement yesterday, said that the management believed the Education Minister was the best candidate for the position as he was also a lecturer there.

“He also has wide experience of IIUM’s environment as he led IIUM’s Academic Staff Association in fighting for the rights and guarantees for the welfare of lecturers,” it said.

The university also said that Dr Maszlee would not be receiving any payment for his new role.

“Despite his mandate as Minister of Education Malaysia, Dr Maszlee has expressed his willingness to hold the post of IIUM president.

“IIUM is very fortunate to have the Education Minister as its president because the administration structure is different from other universities in Malaysia.

“It needs a leadership that is able to understand IIUM’s position to put it in the world’s eye,” it added.

The university also said that IIUM constitutional head Sultan Ahmad Shah had consented to the appointment, which would see Dr Maszlee holding the position for three years.

IIUM rector Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak congratulated Dr Maszlee on his appointment.

“Being an academic and familiar with IIUM will benefit the university in more ways than one.

“We look forward to working with him in an autonomous, politically independent as well as colle- giate ambient,” he said.

Dr Maszlee’s decision to accept the post has drawn flak from Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Harapan parties.

On Tuesday, IIUM’s Academic Staff Association congratulated Dr Maszlee on his appointment on its official Facebook page.

The Star has reached out to Dr Maszlee for his comments, and is awaiting his response.