Malaysians launch online petitions for Dr M, Maszlee
KUALA LUMPUR: Two online petitions have been registered on www.change.org in the past 24 hours backing two candidates for the position of education minister.
The first petition, which calls for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be given the post, has garnered more than 51,000 signatures.
The second petition, in support of Education Minister-designate Dr Maszlee Malik, is trailing with 38,000 signatures.
“The petition for Dr Mahathir to be the minister hopes to send a message to the government that the rakyat values education reforms. We are confident in Dr Mahathir ’s ability to bring muchneeded change to the country’s education system,” said the petition writer Raveen Dev.
At noon yesterday, he thanked supporters for helping him garner more than 30,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.
Shanmugasunthari Krishnaswamy, who pledged for the campaign, said: “I need changes as a teacher… he is the best.”
Peter Sekar Peter said Dr Mahathir had vast experience as an education minister in the 1970s.
Elizabeth Gan said: “Dr Mahathir has the right vision to change the education system. Let’s hope for a brighter future for the next generation.”
Maszlee’s supporters, citing the former International Islamic University lecturer’s vast experience, said he was the right person for the job.
Helen Chuah said Malaysia was finally getting an academic for the job.
Noorizan Abdulmajid said: “We want a qualified person for the job and he (Maszlee) is. Trust Dr Mahathir on his choice.”
Aizat J said fresh leaders were needed to make the education system as good as Sweden’s.
Petition writer Nurul Fitrah Marican said the Simpang Renggam member of parliament was a senior fellow of the IDEAS think-tank and a prominent speaker on political movements and Islamic politics.
He has a PhD from Durham University in the United Kingdom.