THE new education minister to replace Maszlee Malik, who stepped down last week, will be from Bersatu, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The prime minister, who is also Bersatu chairman, also said he will relinquish his position as the acting education minister as soon as the position is filled by a suitable candidate.

“It is usual for the replacement to also be from Bersatu.

“I will step down as soon as I have identified the right person to take over. I am only in charge temporarily,” he told reporters in Langkawi.

Yesterday, the government announced that Dr Mahathir will be the acting education minister pending the appointment of a permanent candidate.

Last Friday, Maszlee announced his resignation as minister, citing three of his decisions which were perceived to have plunged the Pakatan Harapan government into crisis.

The three decisions he named were the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools, providing schools with internet access and the free breakfast programme in school.

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir confirmed that Maszlee, a Bersatu supreme council member, was asked to resign but it was not over any particular issue.

Dr Mahathir said the education minister is not to be blamed for any of the ministry’s missteps.

Dr Mahathir confirmed he had met with top officials of the Education Ministry to discuss its direction soon after Maszlee quit.

“It was to exchange views of the ministry’s duties and its role. We want a system which will equip students and help them get them jobs after they finished,” he said.

He said there will not be a cabinet reshuffle but only an appointment to replace Maszlee as education minister.

Dr Mahathir added that he is studying the possibility of separating higher education from the Education Ministry. – January 11, 2020.