Power getting to Maszlee’s head

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 7 years ago · Published on 9 Nov 2018 11:00AM · 9 Comments

Education Minister Maszlee Malik says he wants to turn the International Islamic University Malaysia into the Oxford of the Islamic world, an attempt which is ridiculed by his critics. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, November 9, 2018.

MASZLEE Malik’s refusal to relinquish his presidency of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is not surprising and is a result of the education minister’s sudden rise to power, said student activists.

In September, Maszlee was appointed as the seventh IIUM president, which student activists criticised as the government breaking its promise not to interfere in the running of universities.

The founder of Universiti Malaya Democrats, Daniel Mizan Qayyum, said those following the case closely were not surprised that Maszlee has refused to step down despite rumours that several quarters within his Pakatan Harapan pact were pressuring him to do so.

“It (refusal to resign) is not surprising. It is Maszlee that is surprised by the culture shock of political power,” said Daniel.

“His efforts to hide behind the claim that it was ‘Tun M’s appointment’ and ‘sultan of Pahang’s approval’ can no longer save him from the PH leadership.”

Another student activist, Asheeq Ali Sethi, said Maszlee’s “personal relationship” with the university was the reason he refuses to step down despite protests from many quarters.

“It makes me question, why is he adamant about holding on to the position?” said Asheeq.

Maszlee, a former lecturer at IIUM, earlier defended his decision to hold on to the presidency as he wanted to elevate IIUM to be the “Oxford of the Islamic world”.

However, Asheeq said Maszlee has yet to make any change to the university since taking over as president in September.

Student activist Asheeq Ali Sethi wonders why Maszlee Malik is adamant about holding on to the position of IIUM president in the face of much criticism. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 9, 2018.

Asheeq, 23, and his fellow activists, Siti Nurizzah Mohamad Tazali, 23, were arrested when they organised a peaceful sit-in protest held at the entrance of the Education Ministry in Putrajaya after Maszlee’s appointment.

Another student activist group which had strongly criticised Maszlee’s appointment, Gabungan Pembebasan Akademik IPTA (GPAIPT), said it will be launching a nationwide roadshow to convey to students the importance of academic freedom.

GPAIPT president Ahmad Taqiyuddin Shahriman, 25, said the “session of enlightenment on the mission of achieving academic freedom” would kick off soon.

A PH source had told The Malaysian Insight that Maszlee had already been advised to relinquish the position but remains “stubborn”

“He does not want to resign from the position, because he believes he can help them (IIUM),” said the source.

“We are still monitoring the situation and have not officially directed him to resign. We want him to make the decision on his own.” – November 9, 2018.

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Comments

  • This guy is useless. Minor Tyrant.

    Posted 7 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • Suspect that his refusal to let go his Presidency in IIUM could be his attachment to the Muslim Brotherhood as told by one blogger. That hugh student population is a pot of gold for recruitment. He should be sacked from both portfolos of Education Minister and IIUM President

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Anyone who continues to defy logic, conflict of interest and transparency must be voted out in the next GE.

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • when he spoke abt the policy on black shoe and socks, I was thinking whether TM made the right choice for Education...looks like he wants to focus on religion...let him go

    Posted 7 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

  • when he spoke abt the policy on black shoe and socks, I was thinking whether TM made the right choice for Education...looks like he wants to focus on religion...let him go

    Posted 7 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

  • Resign from both posts please.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Relax, ye students of IIUM. Maybe da' man wants to check out your shoes ... whether it's black or white, Nike or Adidas ...

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • We have got a dud as our Education Minister, thats for sure.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Malaysia do urgently need a total revamp in our education system. Since Maszlee has not done anything outstanding ever since he was promoted into these two posts, it is about time that PH or TM should remove this arrogant Minister!

    Posted 7 years ago by Witzi Leong · Reply