Don’t delay resigning from IIUM, Maszlee told
PUTRAJAYA: Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik should not wait any longer to resign as International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the party and the Cabinet had already made it clear that Dr Maszlee should leave the post.
“Dr Maszlee knows the decision and has accepted it. He has asked for more time.
“I would like to advise him to do so as soon as possible. In the meantime, he should find a suitable person to take over because this is a firm decision made by the party and government.
“I think Dr Maszlee should know about it,” Muhyiddin said at a press conference here yesterday.
A former lecturer at the university, Dr Maszlee has defended his appointment as the seventh president of IIUM, saying he had been tasked to “restore glory” to the institution.
Student groups staged protests on his appointment as president, which was seen as the minister going against his promise to not have any politicians heading academic institutions.
Dr Maszlee has asked for time before officially relinquishing the post, as the university’s convocation ceremony was still ongoing and a replacement had yet to be found.
On another matter, Muhyiddin said there is no problem with differing views on the government’s proposal to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).
“We are a democratic country and we practise openness. Anyone can express their opinions, be it within Pakatan Harapan or outside.
“The decision will ultimately be made by the Cabinet. But in the meantime, everyone is welcome to give their opinion on the matter.
“We are just beginning to learn how to be a democratic country. Democracy must be kept alive. We should allow people to express their views,” Muhyiddin added.
The proposed ratification of Icerd has raised concerns among many Malaysians, particularly those who fear that the convention would affect the special rights of the bumiputras.