Education Minister Maszlee Malik has finally confirmed that he would soon step down from his controversial appointment as president of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).
He said through his Twitter account that he would do so after the university’s ongoing convocation ceremony is completed, and a new successor is appointed by the end of the month.
“I respect the decision of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the cabinet regarding my appointment as IIUM president. At the same time, I respect the statement by (Home Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin.
“In actuality, I have already decided to resign as IIUM president as soon as IIUM’s convocation ceremony is complete and the process of appointing my successor is complete.
“I believe the process of appointing my successor will be completed by the end of November 2018,” he said.
The ongoing IIUM convocation ends tomorrow.
Previously, an aide to Maszlee had told Malaysiakini that the minister would step down from his university presidency once a suitable replacement is found and appointed.
However, the university’s corporate communications department reportedly pleaded ignorance over the matter, while Maszlee himself refused to address the question.
Instead, when he was asked to confirm news of his impending resignation after he officiated IIUM’s convocation week last Saturday, Maszlee shot back at reporters saying: “I don't think it is suitable to discuss that, the rumours... you don't want to be party crashers.
“People are having a meaningful, historic event, (I am) giving scrolls and you want news on a rumour. This is not appropriate. We will discuss this another time.
"You don't want to disrespect the host (tuan rumah). At a wedding, you come as party crashers and ask (the newlyweds) when are you going to get divorced? That is not the way we Malaysians deal with people.”
Maszlee was appointed as the IIUM president for a three-year term beginning Sept 4, where he previously worked as a lecturer.
However, the appointment quickly drew brickbats, including from his party colleagues, coalition allies, the opposition, and student activists.
Among others, Mahathir who is also the Bersatu chairperson said in September that the appointment should be reviewed, while Muhyiddin who is the Bersatu president advised him to resign immediately.
Student activists meanwhile held protests against the appointment, including a sit-in protest outside his office that resulted in two arrests.
Sebenarnya saya telah pun memutuskan untuk melepaskan jawatan Presiden UIAM iaitu sebaik selepas istiadat konvokesyen UIAM berakhir dan proses pelantikan pengganti saya selesai.
— Maszlee Malik (@maszlee) November 12, 2018
Saya percaya proses pelantikan pengganti akan selesai akhir November 2018.
