Maszlee says decision to quit made after seeking PM’s advice

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 2): Dr Maszlee Malik today announced his resignation as the Minister of Education effective tomorrow.

He announced his decision to quit at a press conference at 4.30pm at his ministry office here.

Maszlee, 45, who is the MP for Simpang Renggam, had spent the better part of this morning checking on the first day of school in the new year in Kuala Lumpur.

Maszlee said he made the decision after meeting and seeking the advice of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“On the advice of the prime minister, who I look up to as a father, a leader and a statesman, and on the basis of party and government loyalty and discipline, I willingly and with a heavy heart, return the post of education minister to the prime minister effective Jan 3, 2020,” he said.

“I believe that as a visionary and a statesman, he better understands what is good for the country,” he added.

Maszlee said as a person without a political background, he is thankful to Dr Mahathir for giving him the opportunity to lead the education ministry over the last 20 months.

He said that throughout his tenure, he had done his best for the country and realised that with his background as an academic activist it was not easy for him to helm a big ministry.

Maszlee believed that he had laid a solid foundation and a clear direction for the ministry staff on the premise of “Education for All”.

“I believe this decision (to quit) is not the end, but a new beginning.

“Believe me, national reformation will never succeed without making the people’s welfare as the primary focus,” he said.

Maszlee also stated his undivided support and loyalty to the prime minister, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and the Pakatan Harapan government.

Meanwhile, Maszlee said that even though the ministry had achieved various successes in the 20 months since Pakatan Harapan took over the country’s administration, more attention was given to controversial issues like the teaching of the Jawi script, Internet in schools and the free breakfast programme.

He said the ministry was often the target of the media and certain groups and politicians who raised sensational issues instead of the achievements made by the ministry.

“What happened in these 20 months could not be achieved in the years before. The changes in this period were so significant and beautiful for us to share.

“But unfortunately, they did not get the attention for news headlines. Many sensational headlines grabbed attention; sensitive issues that were deliberately played up were the main choice,” he said.

Maszlee had earlier highlighted the achievements of the ministry under his watch, among them that 90 per cent of the project to rehabilitate dilapidated schools was completed ahead of schedule with the progress displayed transparently on the ministry’s website, the zero dropout policy for undocumented children, reducing the workload of teachers and anti-corruption measures.

The press conference, which was also attended by his deputy, Teo Nie Ching, received widespread media coverage following rumours swirling around hours before, that Maszlee would be quitting as Education Minister.

Immediately after the press conference, Maszlee was seen in tears and left the ministry’s compound driving his own car, a Perodua Myvi.

Source: TheEdgeMarkets