“On the advice of the prime minister, and in the spirit of loyalty to the party leadership and the government, with a heavy heart, I, Maszlee Malik, would like to resign as minister effective Jan 3, 2020,” he told a special press conference, at 4.30pm on Jan 2.
Following months of pressure from various quarters, Maszlee Malik has resigned from his position as education minister effective tomorrow (Jan 3).
The PPBM Simpang Renggam MP said his decision was made following advice from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a meeting earlier today.
He would like to thank Mahathir for giving him the opportunity to spearhead the Education Ministry for close to 20 months.
He said he had already foreseen controversies coming his way since day one, owing to the huge responsibility of helming a very important ministry.
Among other things, he was on the receiving end of brickbats over his handling of the Jawi issue, the issue of recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and the ministry’s implementation of the free breakfast in schools.
“Unfortunately, I was judged (by certain groups) not based on my achievements. I have made significant changes to the education system, but it did not make the headlines.”
“Sensational topics seemed to be the ones hogging the news. I was seen as creating too many crisis for the top leadership. However, I believe I have laid the groundwork very well for the ministry.” He added.
Maszlee only took three questions from the media during the press conference, before leaving in a Perodua MyVi, which he drove on his own.
So, who will be the next Minister of Education? What do you think, Malaysian?
Source : The Sun