Discussion over appointment of IIUM’s new president ongoing

The Sultan of Pahang, as the constitutional head of IIUM, will decide on its new president. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite wide speculation that Mohd Daud Bakar will be appointed as the International Islamic University of Malaysia’s new president, discussions over the possible candidate is still ongoing, says its rector, Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.

Dzulkifli, without naming the individual, said the discussion on the appointment is going on between the education ministry and Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, the constitutional head of IIUM.

“It is still a work in progress as we need to obtain approval from the Sultan of Pahang. It is all up to Tuanku,” he told reporters after attending the Humanitarian Laboratory 2.0 conference here today.

He was commenting on today’s report by an English daily that Daud, IIUM’s former deputy vice-chancellor, was expected to assume the post.

“We don’t have the details (of names and number of candidates), as this is between the ministry and the Pahang palace. The minister (Maszlee Malik) will seek an audience with the Sultan of Pahang to obtain his approval.

“We put our trust in the choices made by the ministry.

“Thus far, Maszlee is still serving as president because there is no official letter of resignation,” he said.

Previously, Maszlee’s appointment sparked controversy with certain quarters saying it went against promises not to have politicians heading academic institutions as it was contrary to the essence of the manifesto of the Pakatan Harapan before the 14th general election.

Then in November last year, Maszlee announced his intention to relinquish the post, but it was not with immediate effect as some issues related to finding a replacement needed to be resolved first. -FMT