THERE was no pressure for newly elected Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to give up the education portfolio, said a source from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“The issue was not discussed at the PH Presidential Council on Thursday.

“But during the dialogue with PH media representatives, the prime minister already said he was going to leave the education position to someone else,” said the source.

The source said Dr Mahathir decided to give up the post and appointed Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik instead after meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced that in addition to his position as prime minister he would assume the position of education minister.

The decision, however, did not go down well with several groups, who pointed out that the PH manifesto does not allow the PM to hold another portfolio. – May 18, 2018.