Maszlee on IIUM post: I gave them more academic freedom, and quit
INTERVIEW | Education Minister Maszlee Malik has explained his contentious appointment as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president.
The Simpang Renggam MP said he took up the post to provide the institution with greater academic freedom...
INTERVIEW | Education Minister Maszlee Malik has explained his contentious appointment as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president.
The Simpang Renggam MP said he took up the post to provide the institution with greater academic freedom.
“For IIUM it is easier because it (the limits on academic freedom) is only within their disciplinary rules, so it can be amended only by the decision of the board of governance.
"I took the position of president initially to amend those laws. Since I've done that, I relinquished the post,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
Maszlee said this when explaining that the Education Ministry would table amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) and other relevant laws in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow to accord students greater freedom on campus.
The minister's appointment as the IIUM president on Sept 5 courted flak from many quarters – especially from student groups – as it went against Pakatan Harapan's promise of preventing politicians from sitting on the boards of universities.
Student groups had shown up in front of the Education Ministry in Putrajaya to protest Maszlee's appointment and were eventually granted an audience with him to express their displeasure.
The cabinet later said it had made it clear that Maszlee would have to relinquish his post as IIUM president.
Maszlee then said he would step down from the post after the process to appoint his successor is completed.
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PART 2: Maszlee on IIUM post: I gave them more academic freedom, and quit
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