YOURSAY | By not taking the portfolio, he has won even more respect of us.

PM says won't break manifesto, drops education minister portfolio

David Dass: Perhaps this is the right decision (for Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to take up the education portfolio). But not for the reason that Mahathir gives.

He is prime minister. He will be watching over all the ministries. And no doubt he will give his views on all policies.

Mahathir can work closely with the education minister. And assist him or her. He has said that many of our people are not educated by which we understand him to mean poorly educated with little or no critical faculties and EQ (emotional quotient).

And he also says that our teaching methods are antiquated in this world of technology, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The truth is our educational system needs a thorough overhaul.

And English must be brought back in a big way. We must embrace bilingualism. Perhaps even more languages. For the non-Malays, it will be their mother tongues.

Also, scrap BTN (Biro Tatanegara). There is no need to put the non-Malays down. And teach real history. Not fiction.

And teach everyone the cultures and the religions of everyone else. Knowledge of one another will bring understanding and respect. It will dispel suspicion and distrust.

Beman: Taken literally, the words in the promise (in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto) are clear that the PM should not take up another minister’s post.

Justifications offered by other Harapan leaders for Dr M to take up the education minister’s post, such as "saving money", "not a portfolio" and "the phrase 'especially finance minister' means 'other posts allowed'” are all excuses.

Anyway, it is good that Dr M has already taken note of his apparent oversight and has nominated another MP for the education minister’s post.

Anonymous_1fcb07f5: The post should be given to the best person to do the job. If the best person is Dr M because of his wide experience and exposure as a leader, then it should have been put to a vote among the Harapan leaders.

It should not have been made into a political issue just because of a clause in the manifesto. Politicising the issue will only deprive the rakyat of a leader who can bring genuine reforms for the benefit of all our children's future.

Hopelessly: No, it would be a big mistake for Harapan not respecting its own promises. And thanks to Tun M, for righting the wrong promptly.

ChuenTick: I salute you, Dr M. It is noble of you to honour the Harapan manifesto, even though there are Harapan leaders who think it is alright to renege on that pledge.

A promise is a promise. If you can break one, it will become a slippery slope.

Anonymous_534b7352: Tun, as PM, you can always contribute to the development of a world-class education system in Malaysia.

Upon transfer of power to Anwar Ibrahim after mid-term, I propose that you be appointed to the position of senior minister similar to late Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, but with a specific role to provide guidance to young ministers in the cabinet, including the education portfolio.

In order to allow Anwar and his new team of ministers a free hand to govern the country, the senior minister’s position shall remain outside the cabinet.

Thomas: I salute his integrity, I am truly please with him and proud of him. By not taking the portfolio, he won even more respect of us.

Alex Raj: Well done, Tun. Your legacy shall not be education. Your legacy will be that you were the man to helm Malaysia into new era of democracy, of transparency and of integrity.

You will be remembered for returning the rule of law to the nation. You will be remembered as the captain who steered the ship in tumultuous waters and arrived safely.

Kit Siang: I never thought we’d reach Putrajaya

MahuSeeLui: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang is a true patriot who worked tirelessly at tremendous cost to himself and his family, who was thrown in jail and called all sorts of names.

He fought on regardless. He put national interest above party interest and agreed with his senior colleagues to surrender the rocket symbol for the common good.

No ‘Tan Sri’ or ‘Datuk’ titles, et cetera. None of that to symbolise ostentatious snobbishness.

He struggled in the darkness for decades. His just reward is finally seeing the dawn of a better Malaysia for all the Malaysians under the Malaysian sun.

Anonymous_c9b96c38: I salute you, Lim. You will forever be part of Malaysia story along with Karpal Singh, Mahathir, Anwar and many other great personalities.

If ever your name is erased from our history books, rest assured you will never be erased from our hearts and memories, and your name will be echoed from generation to generation.

Demi Rakyat: Lim, you are indeed one of the very few, or perhaps the only one, in our country who have maintained your integrity and focus from day one.

You worked tirelessly, not for yourself but for the future, for Malaysia. The rakyat salute you.

While so much focus has been given to Mahathir, and rightly so, you are in the eyes of many, many the real unsung hero of GE14. Thank you so very much for making this moment possible.

Appum: All the salutations given to Lim will not compensate for all the sufferings he has endeavoured all these years fighting for a better "Malaysian Malaysia". A man who has dedicated more than half his life for the sake of the nation.

Such an achievement is no small wonder and neither is it easily attained without great stamina and tenaciousness.

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