FOLLOWING the resignation of Maszlee Malik as education minister, there has been a clamour for the appointment of someone who is mature and experienced, and above all, can make broad policy decisions to steer the system away from the present rot.

It has been announced that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be the acting education minister until a suitable candidate is found.

Never mind if the candidate comes from Bersatu or any other Pakatan Harapan party.

Given Maszlee’s lacking performance, there are calls for a professional to be appointed as the education minister.

There is a feeling that elected representatives might not be able to deliver on the PH government’s promises on education.

The argument is that a professional will likely be above partisan politics, and can bring much-needed insight and knowledge to steer the Education Ministry in the expected direction.

I have nothing against the appointment of a professional with expertise on education matters, but I prefer a mature elected rep for the post, for a variety of reasons.

First, in parliamentary democracies, decision-makers are the elected representatives. Only under extenuating circumstances are professionals brought in to helm ministries.

Elected reps are more often than not appointed as ministers and deputy ministers.

By being elected representatives, they are responsible and accountable to their respective constituencies and the leaders of their respective parties, and in the ultimate sense, the prime minister.

Under these circumstances, if an elected rep is made a minister, their responsibilities are immense compared to a professional without a political base and whose responsibility is solely to the head of government.

Second, the appointment of an elected representative ensures that they enjoy a measure of support at the rank-and-file level.

Even if the candidate does not have professional expertise, the fact that they are an elected rep gives some measure of respectability in the eyes of the public.

There is the mistaken notion that only professionals should be appointed to ministerial positions – there is no such thing.

Ministers might not be experts in particular areas, but all that is required is a good sense as to what has to be done. Of course, nowadays, most ministers have tertiary education, or even professional, qualifications.

Third, the argument that elected reps might not be as qualified as professionals is true to some extent. But then, there is no exacting requirements for appointments as ministers.

Fourth, in a broader sense, professionals may be experts in certain areas, but I am not sure that they have elected representatives’ drive when it comes to discharging their duties.

Professionals, if appointed to ministerial posts, might become timid and beholden to those who chose them.

Fifth, it is not that all elected representatives do their jobs well. There are many who lack experience and maturity. But from an overall perspective, it is only proper that elected reps are allowed to helm ministerial appointments, not professionals.

It was not that Maszlee was not hardworking or lacked ideas to improve the education system, but the energy he expended was directed at trivial and petty issues. It was just too late for him to rectify earlier mistakes.

The future education minister must first examine what ails the system, why it is not moving forward, what needs doing, and how to overcome short- and long-term obstacles.

In short, they must come to the post with an idea of what has to be done.

PH does not have much time before the next general election, and we must honestly admit that things are not going well for us.

Major reforms in the education sector may be a way to win back the people’s hearts and minds.

Let us not throw a spanner in the works by appointing a professional as the education minister. This might not be a good beginning. – January 14, 2020.

* Ramasamy Palanisamy reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.