Detractors will thank me one day, says minister in face of continued criticism

Nabihah Hamid Andrew Chin Ragananthini Vethasalam Nabihah Hamid, Andrew Chin, Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 4 years ago · Published on 12 May 2019 11:00AM · 6 Comments

Education Minister Maszlee Malik says it is his duty to ensure that criticism does not distract him from the government’s goal of advancing the country through education. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, May 12, 2019.

ONE year and many landmark education policies later, Education Minister Maszlee Malik said he is finding it hard to understand why he continues to be derided for some of his earlier decisions regarding the colour of school shoes and socks.

Months after taking over the education portfolio last year, Maszlee had announced plans to switch the colour of students’ socks and shoes from white to black, earning criticism for supposedly focusing on superficial aspects of the education system.

Opposition lawmakers also took to calling Maszlee the “shoe minister”. 

Maszlee said the experience spurred him to remain focused on his task at hand; revamping and fixing a broken system.

“It has been a year; people are taking about the no-reject policy, the amendment of the UUCA (Universities and University College Act), about the first campus election in 30 years. We are replacing the exam system with more comprehensive evaluation for students… people are talking about a lot of things,” he said of some of the achievements he is most proud of as Pakatan Harapan marked its first anniversary in Putrajaya recently.

“But if you are still stuck on those black shoes, I’m not sure if something is wrong with those who are talking about it or something is wrong with the media, because they can’t see the bigger picture.

“One day, they will thank me for the results they see in their children,” he said in reply to denigrators.

Maszlee said it was “part of the nature” of politicians to criticise rival factions, even if good work was being done.

“Politicians are still politicians,” he told The Malaysian Insight in a recent interview.

“If they (opposition) were to speak well of me, (then) they wouldn’t be politicians.”

Education Minister Maszlee Malik speaking to a SRK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) pupil in January last year. He says denigrators will one day thank him for the results they see in their children. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 12, 2019.

He said it was his duty to ensure that such criticisms would not distract him from the government’s goal of advancing the country through education.

“You can look at their behaviour in Parliament; the way they talk (shows) they’re only concerned with racial issues and religious sentiments,” Maszlee said of the opposition lawmakers.

“For us, we want to develop the country to save the country and help the people. You can see the achievement. There are a lot of things to talk about.”

Maszlee said that if his critics insisted on an alternative title for him, that could call him “menteri universiti” (university minister) or “menteri kebebasan” (freedom minister) instead for the reforms he has introduced in higher learning institutions.

These include allowing opposition politicians to speak at universities, and giving students the freedom to run for campus elections.

Blaming cyber troopers for spreading negativity on social media, Maszlee said he received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those on the ground.

“They’re happy,” Maszlee said, referring to feedback regarding the elimination of an exam-orientated curriculum and the lifting of administrative burdens on teachers.

“Compliments and constructive opinions are genuine. You find that they’re from the teachers and parents.”

On how he would rate himself after a year in office, Maszlee refrained from giving himself a rating as he likened it to blowing one’s own trumpet, adding it was best for the people to judge.

“I can’t deny that we are not infallible (but) we always lend our ears to all constructive suggestions, among other things.” – May 12, 2019.

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Comments

  • Maszlee must be removed together with his sidekick the PTPTN Chairman, Saiful. Both are not only green horns but come up with the most stupidest ideas.. they dont deserve the positions they hold and must be removed immediately

    Posted 4 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • You insisted insisted on appointing yourself and remaining president of IIUM until you were told by PM to stand down. Is that how you lend your ears not infallible one?

    Posted 4 years ago by Scm wong · Reply

  • Sure, some of those detractors are from BN. They will certainly thank you for the blunders that you made. Because of those blunders people will vote BN back. You have really made Ahmad Maslan look like a genius!

    Posted 4 years ago by No Gostan · Reply

  • Stop praising yourself remember you are to serve the people understood to say people will thank you show how arrogant you are u are the same with any human in Malaysia nothing special of u. So stop your Arrogant /Sombong.

    Posted 4 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • Not for a moment will I thank you now and forever. You are a disgrace of a Education Minister. You have not fixed a broken system in any way, and may have made it worse. Please resign in shame immediately. BTW I am not an opposition supporter or cybertrooper. It is just that I see you not doing anything substantial to help our future generations. Shame!

    Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • Dear Mazlee,

    Please do not shy away from the BIG policy agendas i.e. increasing proficiency levels in the English language, rigorous and comprehensive teacher training, improved early learning, minimal 'religious' classes, new funding initiatives for improved resources so we get more ILP for kids, better teacher student ratios, merit based opportunities, relevant vocational training, and the list can go on.

    Please plan for the next generation, not the next election.

    Be BOLD! Use latest data based research to JUSTIFY changes. Stop pandering to the religious right wing bigots. Have some conviction and gumption. The people will accept research based data. You just have to copy and paste the success stories of the world. Not that hard. You need political will. Otherwise please resign.

    Back to English, Tun Razak screwed a whole generation. Please don't screw another. Without English, we'll forever be on the back foot.

    Without English, innovation and new methods of learning, we're disadvantaged. Come on Mazlee, let's get real here. Less rhetoric and patting your own back. Just get on with the job.

    Posted 4 years ago by C D · Reply