PUTRAJAYA— Former Umno minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is said to be Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s favourite among possible candidates to fill the now vacant education minister post, sources have told Malay Mail.
The sources who wished to stay anonymous said the Jeli MP, last serving as minister of international trade and industry, is thought to be “the right person” to implement changes in the portfolio as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet face brickbats from voters over various reasons.
“Mustapa has experience as minister of higher education from 2006 to 2008. [Dr Mahathir] could use his expertise to help implement changes, and he was liked by many people even when he was a BN minister,” one source told Malay Mail.
“Ultimately the decision is in the hands of the Prime Minister Tun M,” the source added, referring to Dr Mahathir.
Another source from the party said Mustapa, also known as Tok Pa, was even mentioned when Dr Mahathir first mentioned in November last year about a possible Cabinet reshuffle later this year.
“Tok Pa was suggested to take responsibility on education together with Maszlee. There were plans to divide the education ministry to two ministries — education and higher education like before,” said the source.
Joining the party in October 2018, Mustapa now chairs the seven-member Special Parliamentary Committee on the Budget. He was first rumoured to join the Cabinet in August last year.
The same source said it may also be possible that Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahaya, who is currently deputy foreign minister, may instead be promoted as Maszlee’s replacement.
“It was brought in the meeting, but there is yet to be a decision by the top leadership,” the source said.
Last year, Marzuki was embroiled in a “degree mill” scandal, admitting that he did not attend University of Cambridge as previously claimed, but instead from one United States-based Cambridge International University — an institution whose reputation has been questioned.
Yesterday, Maszlee confirmed that he would be resigning as the education minister effective today, making him the first from Dr Mahathir’s Cabinet to go since the 14th general election.
During a special press conference, Maszlee said he made the decision on the advice of the prime minister after meeting him earlier yesterday.
However, he did not disclose the reason behind his resignation, amid a source’s claim that he had received a letter from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia “advising” him to vacate the post.
Malay Mail has contacted Mustapa and Marzuki for their comments.
Following Maszlee’s announcement, Dr Mahathir said he has yet to decide on a replacement for the post and will announce his decision soon. MALAY MAIL
Khairy wishes Maszlee well, says there are other ministers that deserve to go
KUALA LUMPUR — Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said there are other ministers who should go rather than Maszlee Malik who resigned as education minister today.
The Rembau MP in wishing Maszlee well pointed out that the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia supreme council member held one of the toughest portfolios in the government.
Commenting on Maszlee’s Instagram post announcing his resignation, Khairy posted: “For what it’s worth. You had the toughest portfolio in government and it’s impossible to see drastic changes in less than two years.
“I can think of a dozen other ministers who deserves to do. I heard you were well-liked by the teachers and introduced many meaningful reforms.
“I wish you well, Dr Maszlee. Roda kehidupan selalu berputar (the wheels of life are always spinning). Chin Up.”
Just hours after Maszlee announced his resignation, an online petition was launched urging Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to reinstate Maszlee as education minister, with over 100,000 signatures in support of the call.
The petitioner by the name Tuah Kencana wrote that despite Maszlee’s contributions, his efforts were overshadowed by unfavourable reports, which he claimed were “sensationalised by parties with a vested interest”.
The petitioner also listed a string of initiatives accomplished by Maszlee in his less-than-two-year stint as education minister, accompanied by the #SupportMaszleee hashtag below the petition on change.org.
The petition initially targeted 75,000 signatures and hit the mark at around 8.30pm. It is now targeting 150,000 signatures and has already received over 100,000 signatures as at 9pm.
Earlier, during a special press conference in Putrajaya, Maszlee said he made the decision on the advice of the prime minister after meeting him.
He said he is “returning” the post to Dr Mahathir, referring to his appointment after the prime minister dropped the education portfolio to honour the Pakatan Harapan (PH) election manifesto. MALAY MAIL
MALAY MAIL
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.